How to Make a Drycleaner Business More Eco Friendly

Everyday business can do harm to our environment, so taking small steps each day can help us save our planet. Dry cleaners can be big energy spenders with their daily activities. With just a few small steps, your dry cleaning business can save energy and money.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• CFC eco-friendly light bulbs
• Hangers without paper sleeves

1. Encourage your customers to recycle their hangers by giving them a discount on the hangers they bring back. You can give them a quarter off each item cleaned if they bring back their metal hangers.
2. Replace your light bulbs with CFC eco-friendly light bulbs. They are more expensive, but you can recoup the cost of these light bulbs within a couple years of usage.
3. Do not buy the hangers with the paper sleeves inserted on the top of the hanger. They usually say "We Love Our Customers" but do little to promote your business. Save the paper and waste and order paper-free hangers.
4. Turn off all machinery and lights when your business is closed. Unplugging machinery will also save energy. Equipment uses energy even when it is turned off and plugged in.
5. Turn up your air conditioning to 78 degrees to save on energy. Using ceiling fans to circulate the air will also help you conserve energy.
6. Clean the incoming clothes with the hydrocarbon technique. This method is closer to conventional dry cleaning and is less toxic, easier on clothes and safer for the environment than traditional chemical methods.

Tips & Warnings

• Advertise your green efforts in advertisements. You will find many clients looking for more eco-friendly dry cleaning methods.
• Check back month to month to see if your efforts are paying off.