The dry cleaning industry deserves a lot of praise. In an age where everyone avoids accepting responsibility, this is an industry which has really stepped up to the plate. In recent years, the industry has been plagued with environmental contamination claims relating to the use of a dry cleaning solvent called Perc. Perc is alleged to have contaminated soil and water, possibly affecting drinking water supplies.

Of course, most of the dry cleaning establishments are truly "innocent" in that they did not intentionally do anything wrong. Rather, they simply operated in accordance with the then state-of-the-art. Like many other American industries, dry cleaners generally did not know what they were doing would later cause an ecological problem.

But unlike many industries, the dry cleaning industry has aggressively been seeking out a solution. Many States either have legislation in place, or proposed, that would create a Fund dedicated to cleaning fluid spills. Typically, a very small amount of additional money is charged per customer say a few cents. But the money adds up and it is all placed in a common Fund to pay for ecological cleanups, where they are needed.

It is such perfect legislation and many thumbs up to this industry, which has generally been a supporter of these kinds of smart laws. Despite the fact that these laws make sense, some States are reluctant to adopt these programs. For example, New Jersey has seen numerous such proposals but they never get anywhere. These laws are good and States need to embrace them to accomplish cleanups and save the dry cleaning industry from the hefty financial burden associated with these kinds of cleanups.

But the dry cleaning industry has gone further than just proposing cleanup Funds. It is also attempting to re-invent itself with newer, safer technologies for cleaning our clothing. This is not a lazy industry it is amazingly pro-active. Take for example, Hangars.

Hangars is a new franchise from North Carolina that is part of this green revolution. Rather than using Perc to clean, Hangars relies on carbon dioxide and detergents. Some say that clothes cleaned in this manner last longer than Perc cleaning because there is no heat and no damage to clothing fibers.

And most importantly, carbon dioxide does not appear to be an eco-enemy. While Perc is alleged by some to be a possible carcinogen, no such claim is made thus far about carbon dioxide.

Other forms of cleaning are also under active evaluation. In the December 1999 issue of the industry publication American Drycleaner, some industry officials suggested that there will likely be big gains made in "wetcleaning" technology in the next five years. Wetcleaning relies on hot water instead of Perc. However, the pros are quick to point out that wetcleaning is not the same as using your family's washing machine. These professionals make fabric-specific evaluations, and have an array of detergents and pre-cleaners in their arsenal.

The EPA has entered into a dry-cleaning partnership with various locales and industry groups. According to published reports, two recent small studies suggest public acceptance of wetcleaning. In fact, some even like the results more so than Perc-based cleaning results. Of course, small sampling groups are insufficient to draw large generalizations. But, wetcleaning may show promise and you will likely see wetcleaners cropping up.

The bottom line is always the bottom line. Dry cleaning is still often a family business, and money is often not available to fund eco-cleanups (which can cost tens of thousands of dollars) or fund equipment overhauls. If the government could bail out Chrysler, it can help these small businesses. Because in so doing, we will all be helped in the long run.

Published: April 20, 2000

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Stuart Lieberman, Esq. writes about environmental issues. He was a New Jersey Deputy Attorney General assigned to the State Department of Environmental Protection from 1986 to 1990. Currently he is a shareholder in the environmental law firm of Lieberman & Blecher, P.C., located in Princeton, New Jersey. Stuart can be reached at slieberman@liebermanblecher.com.