Fact Sheet: Drycleaning and Waste Reduction
Office of Waste Reduction
November 1988
Drycleaners are Prime Candidates for Waste Reduction.
Typical wastes generated by drycleaners include spent perchloroethylene ("perc"), still bottoms from distillation of solvents, spent filter cartridges, cooked powder residue and water contaminated with "perc." These wastes are categorized as dangerous wastes by Washington State's Dangerous Waste Regulations (Chapter 173-303 WAC). All dangerous wastes must be managed and disposed of legally. In order to run your shop as economically and efficiently as possible you should reduce all types of wastes including dangerous wastes, solid wastes, and air and water emissions.
There are a variety of ways that you can reduce the amount of waste that you generate and in turn reduce your operating costs. Potential dangerous waste reduction techniques for drycleaners include:
"Good Housekeeping"
Good housekeeping measures can greatly decrease the amount of wastes that are generated. To reduce excess waste production:
- Keep tight fitting lids and bungs on containers to prevent loss of chemicals through evaporation or spillage. Keeping lids on containers also prevents contamination with water, dirt or other materials.
- Use spigots and pumps when dispensing new materials and funnels when transferring wastes to storage containers to reduce the possibility of spills.
- Provide secondary containment in areas where "perc" and "perc" wastes are stored.
- Make sure that personnel are well trained.
- Store products in locations that will preserve their shelf life.
- Accumulate wastes indoors or in a covered area to prevent moisture from seeping in.
- Never mix different types of waste together. Mixing wastes may make recycling impossible, or make waste disposal much more expensive.
- Eliminate both liquid and vapor leaks by conducting a regular maintenance program including:
- periodically replacing the seals on the dryer deodorizer and aeration valves, the door gasket on the button trap and the gasket on the cleaning machine door.
- repairing holes in air and exhaust ducts
- checking hose connections and couplings
- cleaning lint screens to avoid clogging fans and condensers
- checking baffle assembly in cleaning machine
- checking air relief valves for proper closure
- monitoring for vapor losses with solvent leak detectors
- checking to see that your water/solvent separator is working correctly. If there is an unusually large amount of "perc" in your collection bucket, it is not working correctly.
Substitute Raw Materials
Consider replacing your current raw materials with raw materials that reduce the amount or toxicity of the waste that you generate. For example, if you use a solvent other than perchloroethylene, use one which is not considered ignitable. (Ignitable solvents have a flash point of 1400 F. or less.) Check with your supplier for more information. You should always take into consideration the cost of disposal when you are deciding what raw materials to purchase.
Modify Your Process
If you are currently using a wet-to-dry cleaning unit, consider replacing it with a dry-to-dry unit. In wet-to-dry units you lose solvents in the transfer process.
Use refrigerated condensation systems to reduce vapor losses.
In order to qualify for the "closed loop" exemption in the Washington state Dangerous Waste Regulations, your system must be completely contained in tanks and pipes, all vapors being vented must be filtered and all wastes that are considered dangerous wastes must be sent to a treatment, storage, disposal facility. Wastes considered to be dangerous wastes include the distillation still bottoms, filters, and waste water if contaminated with over 100 ppm "perc."
Solvent Recycling
There are several methods you can use to reclaim "perc" from your system. "Perc" is expensive, so the more of it you can reclaim, the more money you will save. Recycling methods include:
- Distilling your spent "perc" in a distillation unit.
- Capturing the "perc" vapors which are vented from your machine, and passing them through an activated carbon filter. The "perc" is then reclaimed by passing steam, in reverse, through the carbon filter.
- Using "sniffers" to draw in the "perc" vapors from the shop, and then using the same process to reclaim the "perc."
Energy and Materials Conservation Program
Instituting a comprehensive conservation program can save money and valuable resources. For instance:
- Try to use the latest technology. New equipment may require less energy to operate.
- Identify all materials that you use in your facility. Evaluate how much is going into products and how much is disposed.
- Monitor your water and electric meters routinely for a period of time. Identify peaks and valleys for usage during the day and week. Determine if there are activities that consume water and electricity that could be curtailed during non-production hours.
The Washington State Energy Office (206-586-5078) can provide you with written materials to help you analyze your energy consumption and determine how to achieve the best use of your energy resources.
Non-Hazardous Waste Reduction Methods
Non-hazardous waste reduction methods used successfully by Washington businesses include:
- Reusing and/or recycling paper - A simple strategy employed to reduce the use of paper is to use both sides of the sheet, either by making two-sided copies or by using the backside of paper as scratch paper. Newspapers are often donated to charities by businesses. Other types of paper are sold for recycling.
- Recycling cardboard - Some businesses that generate large amounts of cardboard have found it economically feasible to bale and sell their cardboard. Businesses with small amounts of cardboard
usually give it away to a business or charity willing to pick it up.
- Reusing and/or recycling 55 gallon drums - Businesses either return empty drums to the chemical supplier or give them to a cooperage company who reconditions and sells them. (Keep in mind that these drums must meet the definition of "empty" as defined in section 160 of the Dangerous Waste Regulations.)
For more information on waste reduction techniques call Washington State's Waste Reduction Information Line toll-Free at 1-800-822-9933.
Information for this Fact Sheet was obtained in part from the Alaska Health Project.
Produced by:
Washington State Department of Ecology
Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling
Mail Stop PV-11
Olympia, WA 98504-8711
(206) 438-7541
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Last Updated: May 5, 1997