Dry Cleaners
Research had shown that in Europe annually 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 must be permitted.
The permit, is issued by the Council. It is granted with conditions designed to both demonstrate compliance with the emission limit imposed by the Directive and to ensure best practice to minimise solvent use. The conditions are based on Government guidance attached below.
Other information
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc/dryclean%2Dupdate/
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