National Clothesline

Plans for a perc ban in Chicago are on hold and the likelihood of a compromise appears good.

Chicago Alderman Edward Burke surprised the industry when he announced in October that he would introduce an ordinance banning perc in drycleaning as of June of this year. There were no ifs, ands or buts in Burke’s initial proposal, just a flat out ban on perc that, if passed, would have sent hundreds of drycleaners scrambling for a way to stay in business after June.

But after meeting with drycleaners, Burke said he was willing to compromise.

An alternative to a complete ban developed in talks between Burke and area cleaners was yet to be formally introduced in ordinance form by the alderman in mid-December, but as proposed, perc would only be banned in plants located inside Chicago hotels or buildings that also contained residences.

All other perc cleaners would have to be using at least fourth generation equipment by 2007. Also, beginning that year, perc mileage would need to be at least 1,000 pounds of clothes cleaned per gallon of solvent. The mileage requirements would be stepped up to 1,200 pounds per gallon by 2010 and 1,400 pounds per gallon in 2017.

All garments cleaned in the plant, including those cleaned by non-perc methods such as wetcleaning, would be factored into the mileage calculations. There could also be consideration for factoring in perc in the waste stream when making efficiency calculations.

Also under the proposal, compliance guidelines already in effect in the industry would become mandatory for all cleaners.

No timetable has been set for further consideration of the issue in Chicago.