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1. Perc
Alternatives
a) Wetcleaning
(or Green Clean)
In the mid 1990's, Canadian governments,
environmental groups, and the drycleaning industry came
together to develop a pilot project for an
environmentally-friendly alternative to perc: green
cleaning. Green cleaning is a water-based process,
which sounds heretical for the drycleaning industry, but
it has been shown to be a viable alternative.
Details on wet cleaning
can be found in The
Ontario Green Cleaners Manual.
For information on wet
clean machines, visit www.wetclean.com.
b) Silicone Based
Cleaning (Green Earth)
A new entry into perc-free drycleaning is a company
called GreenEarth
Cleaning. They've developed a silicon based alternative to
perc that is exempt from the major U.S. regulations
governing hazardous waste disposal: the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund, and
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA).
GreenEarth is new to
Canada, so there are currently only a few sites in
operation. Check with the GreenEarth
Cleaning list of cleaners for new sites in Ontario.
c) CO2 Based Cleaning
(Cool Clean Technologies)
Cool Clean
Technologies features a liquid CO2 process.
Their cleaning machines use pressurized liquid CO2 as a
cleaning solvent, providing an effective,
environmentally safe cleaning process. The CO2 machine
operates much like a traditional front- loading dry
cleaning machine, with a range of wash and extract
cycles, but without heat to set stains and wrinkles. The
solvent is natural, odor free and 98% of the CO2 is
recovered at the end of the 35-40 minute cycle and
reused. The equipment is now being used by Hangers
Cleaners in Wisconsin and elsewhere.
2.
Regulations
The use of perc is
regulated under the Canadian Environmental Protection
Act (CEPA) and the Regulation
323/94 of
the Ontario Environmental Protection
Act. These regulation sets out the requirements for the use and
disposal of perc within drycleaning operations.
Regulation 323/94
requires all sites where drycleaning is performed to
have a fulltime person trained in the proper
operation of equipment and handling procedures of
solvents, wastes and residues in order to protect the
environment and
worker health and safety. It does not address
alternatives to perc.
More information on
regulatory requirements can be
found on the Ontario
Fabricare Association website. Click on "Rules and
Regulations".
3. Professional
Associations
There are several
associations of drycleaners in Ontario, including the Ontario
Fabricare Association (OFA) and the Korean
Drycleaners Association (KDA). The OFA makes representation to both the Federal and Provincial Governments on behalf of all Dry Cleaners in Ontario, in matters such as environmental regulations, operating policies, and other industry related issues.
The OFA website includes
information on environmental regulations and advice to consumers
on how to choose a drycleaner that:
- Uses minimum 3rd generation dry cleaning equipment.
- Achieves minimum indoor air quality
standard (i.e.. the plant does not smell of
solvent).
According to the OFA
website, Environmental rules and regulations are a prime concern to every professional Dry Cleaner. The safe handling of solvents, filters and sludge by the owner/manager will insure the safety of all employees. The removal of waste by a licensed carrier to an authorized facility accompanied by the correct documentation is mandatory.
Using a third generation or newer Dry Cleaning machine, and maintenance of other equipment, will insure the required air quality standards are met with no smell of solvent in the plant.
No information is
provided on alternatives to perc.
Green Clean technology has been
proven effective, and the new Green Earth process is also a promising
alternative. The time for pilot projects is
clearly behind us. Ontario needs a plan and
timetable for the transition of the drycleaning industry
to perc-free, non-polluting alternatives.
Establish Green Clean as a readily available alternative to perc. |
The industry needs to
pick it up a notch. Green Cleaning has been a successfully
demonstrated in Canada and the United States. We need to
ensure that there are
enough Green Clean or Green Earth centres in each community
throughout Ontario, with an eventual goal of replacing perc as the
primary method for drycleaning.
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Phase
out old perc technology.
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Move to phase out the
first and second generation perc machines in Ontario.
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Provide financial assistance for the transition to perc-free
technology. |
Small, single family
operations are less likely to make the investment necessary to
switch to perc-free technology. Either direct financial aid is
needed, or an environmental charge on
perc-based drycleaning to develop a fund to subsidize the transition
to perc-free technology.
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Promote consumer awareness. |
A public education campaign should be
initiated in those communities where there are green clean or GreenEarth outlets.
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Green Your Cleaning
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Go Green
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Best Standards
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At the very least, make
sure your drycleaner is certified under the provincial guidelines
for perc management. These people are trained in the proper
handling and disposal of perc.
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Ask your local drycleaner
what generation of equipment they use. Take your business to the cleaner with the
least-polluting
equipment.
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Buy better
clothes
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The
Conservation Council of Ontario