Aqueous Cleaning Toolkit

Free Resources for Manufacturers

In 2022, Minnesota became the first state to ban the use of Trichloroethylene (TCE) for all businesses requiring an air permit. Known as a powerhouse cleaning agent, TCE is also used in other industrial processes and as an ingredient in some consumer products—but its hazards are now well recognized.

MnTAP, in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and funded with a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 (U.S. EPA R5), launched the TCE Alternatives Project to help Minnesota businesses make the switch from TCE to effective, safer alternatives.

What we discovered was a need in our business community: a third-party perspective on mitigating the risks associated with cleaning solvents and degreasers, and clear information about alternatives. This toolkit is organized into three themed areas, each presented in several formats including an E-guide, slideshow, video, and infographic.

Watch

What does aqueous cleaning look like?

Watch the demo of a small aqueous system one of our clients installed to replace a TCE based vapor degreaser.

Watch

Mitigating Business Risks

Costs and
Benefits

Converting to Aqueous

 

Download

Educational Materials and Templates for Partners

Download our materials designed specifically for partners to use on social media and email. These free resources are available to help technical assistance providers and other partners educate businesses and other audiences about the benefits of aqueous cleaning. In addition to the main toolkit items above, this link includes email templates and social media channel content with supporting images for your use on your organization’s website, e-newsletters and/or social media channels. You are welcome to mix and match content and supporting materials as you see fit and as is beneficial to your organization and audiences.

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