Alternative Technologies

Reducing perc from dry cleaning operations can:

• Save money on perc purchase and disposal
• Reduce employee exposure to perc
• Provide greater environmental protection
• Reduce regulatory requirements
• Reduce liability

• Improved operating and maintenance procedures
• More efficient equipment
• Alternative cleaning products and methods

Examples include:

Articles
Alternative Aqueous Cleaning Systems for Dry Cleaners Wet cleaning is a viable alternative to traditional perchloroethylene dry cleaning methods. This article discusses the emergence of wet cleaning among dry cleaners.

Dry Cleaning Equipment Upgrades Cut Costs and Reduce Perc Changing to new or add-on dry cleaning equipment that efficiently uses and recovers perchloroethylene (perc) can significantly reduce operating costs. Efficient equipment can make your perc go further through recycling and recovery and by significantly reducing evaporative losses.

Mr. Green Clean—Dry Cleaner Switches to Eco-friendly Method Like-Nu Cleaners received coverage from the Mankato Free Press for switching from perc to a petroleum-
based hydrocarbon solvent for cleaning.

Award Winners
Colonial Cleaners, 2000 Governor's Award Winner. A small dry-cleaner who initiated a combination of conventional dry-cleaning with a new wet cleaning process with the help of the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) and the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT).

Fact Sheets
Waste and Emission Reduction Alternatives for Dry Cleaners This fact sheet provides an overview of improved operating techniques, perc equipment upgrades and alternative cleaning systems that help cut costs by reducing perc use.