United States ,-
Environmental Protection
Agency
Pollution Prevention
and Toxics
(TS-779)
EPA744-F-93-004
April 1993
&EPA
a
*?*&&!&
V^ 4*EB\ *
Design for the Environment
Dry Cleaning Project
i
^ - - " i ' -,..,
Cleaner Clothes,
Cleaner Neighbor!
Cleaner Solutions
What Is Design
for the Environment?
" 'U "" f s. "£-.
The' Design for the Environ-
ment (DfE) Program in EPA's ,
Office of Pollution Prevention
and Toxics harnesses EPA's
expertise and leadership to
* facilitate information ex- ^
change and research on pollu-
tion prevention efforts.'-DfE '
works with both large and '"
8 small businesses'on a volun-
tary basis, and its wkte-v-- '-<"
ranging projects include: "-/"-
"Changing general busi- \
-, nesses practices to provide
incentives for pollution pre-
vention efforts, - >'
-~> '" ,- ~ r <
^m Workihg"with businesses
and trade associations in
specific industries to evalu-
- ate the risks, performance,
, and costs of alternative
chemicals, processes, and
technologies.
Helping individual busi-
nesses undertake environ-
mental design efforts
through the application of
specific tools and methods.
Why 9s EPA
Working With
Dry Cleaners?
EPA has been working with the dry cleaning
industry for some' time to reduce exposure to
perchloroethylene, often referred to as "perc."
Perc is a chemical' solvent used by most dry
cleaners. With more than 31,000 commercial
shops in neighborhoods and malls across the
country, dry cleaners make up one of the largest groups of chemical
users that come into direct contact with the public. Because of the
potential health and environmental concerns associated with the use
of perc, EPA is now working in partnersliip with the dry cleaning
industry to reduce exposures and to evaluate alternatives through its
Design for the Environment (DfE) Program.
What Is EPA
Doing About
Dry Cleaning?
In May 1992, EPA invited dry cleaning industry
representatives, researchers, and government
officials to an international roundtable discus-
sion. The roundtable participants exchanged
information about many issues related to the dry
cleaning industry, including pollution control,
exposure reduction, financing options, regulatory activities in the
United States and other countries, and information dissemination. At
a wrap-up session, participants listed issues that need to be addressed
through research initiatives and future discussion forums.
Printed on Recycled Paper
-------
As a followup to the roundtable, EPA decided to
apply the "design for the environment" approach
to working cooperatively with the dry cleaning
industry. Industry leaders and EPA agreed that un-
resolved issues from the roundtable could be ad-
dressed most effectively using DfE's nonregulatory,
voluntary, and proactive approach. In addition to in-
vestigating cleaner options, the DfE Program pro-
vides outreach to dry cleaners and consumers.
Amajor piece of the dry cleaning project is DfE's
Cleaner Technologies Substitutes Assessment
(CTSA), a collaborative effort between EPA and the
dry cleaning industry. Through the CTSA, EPA is
systematically examining a number of alternative
cleaning technologies, substitute solvents, and
methods to control and limit chemical exposure
from dry cleaning.
For alternative cleaning processes that appear vi-
able, EPA will evaluate each option as it compares
to dry cleaning, primarily based on cost and per-
formance, but also considering factors such as en-
ergy input and resource conservation. The CTSA
also will weigh "tradeoffs," the pros and cons of com-
peting environmental objectives, to help dry clean-
ers make informed business choices. As part of the
CTSA, EPA recently compared the costs and per-
formance of dry cleaning against an alternative
cleaning process that relies on the controlled appli-
cation of heat, steam, and natural soaps to clean
clothes that typically are drycleaned.
At the conclusion of the CTSA, EPA plans to publish
a technical summary of alternative technologies,
solvents, and processes. EPA also will produce an
informational document for industry and the public
that will communicate cost-effective, environmen-
tally safer choices discovered as a result of this
public/private partnership.
HOW DOBS the By joining DfE in its commit-
On! Clean End ment *° finding safer, cleaner
U iy UlcaimitJ technologies, dry cleaners can
maintain a competitive edge
-m ^e marketplace. In addi-
tion, the information from
the project will help dry clean-
ers in their desire to be good neighbors. With an
enhanced awareness of available technological
options, dry cleaners can improve their operations
and bottom line, while contributing to a cleaner en-
vironment. As consumers increasingly tend to opt
for "green," environmentally sound products and
services, dry cleaners that consider the health and
environmental impacts of their business decisions
are more likely to sustain solid customer support.
Like businesspeople, consumers also benefit from
understanding how their everyday choices affect the
environment. Consumers today face an ever-widen-
ing array of products and services from which to
choose. As people understand better how a product's
design and manufacturing process affects the
environment, they will be able to make responsible
decisions that benefit them, their families, and
their community.
How Can I Get More Information?
To learn more about EPA's Design for the Environ-
ment Program or its Dry Cleaning Project, contact:
EPA's Pollution Prevention Information
Clearinghouse (PPIC)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401M Street, SW. (PM-211A)
Washington, DC 20460
Tel: 202-260-1023
Fax: 202-260-0178
------- |