More than 40 professionals attended the free workshop held at Gouda in the Netherlands and discussed initiatives that would guarantee a sustainable professional cleaning process for the future. Delegates also learnt more about soil remediation and its implications for the global drycleaning industry.
Drycleaning is “one of the most regulated industries worldwide,” said Chris Tebbs in his overview of the sector in the USA, Canada, China, Japan and Europe. He examined the use of solvents, energy and packaging in those areas. Tebbs observed that environmental regulations are increasing and leading to sharp criticism of the drycleaning industry.
Netex, the Dutch association for drycleaners explained that it had developed a sophisticated certification programme aimed at promoting environmental awareness and quality in the sector.
Bill Fisher, CEO of the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute, spoke about soil and groundwater contamination in the USA. He explained that USA legislation makes drycleaners liable for clean-up costs even though they have not broken any laws in their disposal of perc waste. In a perc-contaminated site, the drycleaner is held to be fully responsible as is the current property owner, any future owner and even any past owner.
