National Clothesline

Sometimes, it’s easy being green. California cleaner Deborah Davis discovered that fact recently when she received The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award.

The distinction, which was presented on June 13 in Nashville, Tennessee during NAWBO’s annual meeting and women’s business conference, came with a cash prize of $5,000, as well.

The NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award highlight the achievements of a “trailblazing” NAWBO woman business owner. This year, nearly 40 businesses across the country were nominated on a number of criteria, including business innovation, business growth, and community service activities.

Davis is the owner of Cleaner By Nature, a drycleaning plant that utilizes GreenEarth cleaning and wetcleaning. According to Mary MacRae, NAWBO’s national president, Cleaner By Nature deserved the award.

“Cleaner By Nature stood out in a field of impressive applications... all of the judges were very impressed both by the innovative nature of Deborah’s business, as well as her commitment to the environment in all aspects of her business,” MacRae noted.

In addition to utilizing GreenEarth cleaning since June of 2001, Davis’s business uses delivery vans that run on low-emission compressed gas. The company also offers a complete recycling program for hangers and bags. In fact, its garment bags are made from recycled plastic.

“It is a great honor to receive this award for my small business... to have other women business owners from across the country deem my business as innovative and a model is a huge thrill and accomplishment,” Davis said.

The California Air Resources Board requires all perc drycleaning operators to currently be certified in Air Toxic Control Measure Training (Title 17, Calif. Code of Reg. Section 93110). Failure to have an updated certificate posted in a drycleaning business may result in a fine of $500 or more.

In southern California, two CARB courses are planned for Saturday, August 30, and Saturday, September 27 in Long Beach.

Both will be presented by Dallons Environmental Services.

Each class is limited to 30 people and pre-paid registration is required.

The cost is $150 for initial certification and $75 for a three-year recertification.

For more information, contact Dallons at (800) 347-6551.

Cleaners in the northern half of the state may prefer to obtain their CARB certification at the California Cleaners Association’s northern school, which holds classes at the Villa Hotel in San Mateo, CA.

The instructors are Marti Russell and Bob Blackburn.

First-time CARB certifiers may attend class on Saturday, August 9 and Saturday, October 11 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

A recertification class is planned for Wednesday, November 19 from 7 to 9 p.m.

For more information and pricing on classes, contact Marti Russell at (650) 743-8191