Air pollution

 
 

Dry Cleaners

In Europe in the year 2000, approximately 45,000 tonnes of perchloroethylene (the main dry cleaning solvent) was emitted to the atmosphere from dry cleaning operations.

The European Union decided that emissions of this harmful chlorinated hydrocarbon should be minimised. The Solvent Emissions Directive requires that all dry cleaning installations be registered, meet an emission standard and minimise the emissions of perchloroethylene into the environment.

Requirements
To comply with the requirements of the Directive all dry cleaners are required to apply for a Permit to operate under the provisions of the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000. Therefore, if someone is operating a dry cleaning establishment using perchloroethylene, hydrocarbon based solvents or siloxane (Green Earth) they have until 31st October 2006 to submit an application.

The permit, with conditions designed to both demonstrate compliance with the emission limit imposed by the Directive and to ensure best practice to minimise solvent use, will then be issued by Westminster Council. The conditions are based on Government guidance Process Guidance Note 6/46(04) Secretary of State’s Guidance for Dry Cleaning.


Other infromation

www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc/dryclean%2Dupdate/