In the News
First Renzacci machine built for DrySolv installed in Toronto!!
After intense development and collaborative efforts between Renzacci, Langstaff Equipment Services Ltd. and DrySolv, the very first machine ever built by Renzacci for DrySolv is in operation in Toronto. The machine is a 35 pound version that is running a complete cycle in 32 minutes with a carbon adsorption phase. Consumption of solvent and release to the plant atmosphere will be lower than ever experienced according to Lorne Tontegode, president of Langstaff Equipment Services Ltd.
The machine is equipped with all-Viton gaskets and represents a new step for Renzacci. According to Renzacci's Marco Niccolini, this was made possible only through the teamwork of all involved. Renzacci is offering their DrySolv version of the Progress line in 20, 30, 38, 45, 55, and 65 pound models. With the extremely short cycle time, these machines compare to perc machines that are twice the size and hydrocarbon and GreenEarth machines that are three times as big.
Canadian Ministry of Health Gives Unfavorable Review of Siloxanes
The Canadian Ministry of Health and Environment issued a draft screening assessment for a number of chemicals including silicon based chemicals D4, D5, and D6. GreenEarth’s solvent is D5. The assessment claims that the silicon chemicals are persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic. It also suggests these chemicals behave like persistent organic pollutants, may have long-term harmful environmental effects, and should be looked at for elimination from the environment. The Canadian draft study also says the siloxanes do not pose a threat to human health at the quantities they are entering the environment. DLI CEO Bill Fisher met with GreenEarth execs Tim Maxwell and Jim Douglas at Texcare in Frankfurt, Germany, right after the information was made public. Maxwell and Douglas said they were blindsided by the Canadian announcement and will do everything they can to separate D5 from the other silicone chemicals in the Canadian assessment.
"GREEN" DRY CLEANER BANS TOXIC SOLVENT
Winnipeg Free Press, 4/23/2008
Dollar Wise Quality Cleaning has become the first dry cleaner in Winnipeg to "go green" and ban the use of traditional highly toxic dry cleaning solvent.
Shane Johnston, general manager and co-owner of Dollar Wise, a 10-year old Winnipeg company, said it is part of a growing trend among dry cleaners to use less toxic chemicals like DrySolv, a patented, stabilized n-propyl bromide mixture.
He figures that less than 10 percent of the Canadian industry uses the new, more environmentally friendly product. But even so, he said he does not believe there are any business risks in being such a trail blazer.
"Every dry cleaner in Manitoba is using PERC (perchlorethylene/tetrachlorethylene) except us," said Johnston. "It is taking off like crazy in the U.S. I just don't see any negatives."
Johnston's passion for the cleaner, less dangerous product comes at least partly from his own battle with cancer.
In 2004, Johnston was diagnosed with bowel cancer (he has now been cancer-free for three and a half years). While he was recovering in hospital he wanted to try to figure out how to operate the business in a safer manner.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that PERC may reasonably be considered to be a carcinogen.
Johnston said as well as the environmental benefits of DrySolv -- it requires less hot water (therefore less energy) to operate effectively, it is not an ozone-depleter, does not produce hazardous waste and is not a carcinogen -- it also isn't expensive to switch from one chemical to another. (It is likely to cost the company a little more than $3,000 to convert its three main dry cleaning units.)
The company's first foray into environmentally friendly cleaning products was the introduction of a proprietary phosphate-free, carcinogen-free laundry detergent called ZOP a couple of years ago.
It now retails that detergent in its four company-owned locations and 17 independent altering and tailor locations where it has pick-up and drop-off locations, including the two new Nygard Fashion stores in Winnipeg. They may have the soap on the shelves of major retailers sometime soon.
Johnston said it will take his plant about two weeks to completely switch over to DrySolv, but already customers have been noticing the difference in the feel and look of the garments.
He said that along with all the other good things associated with DrySolv, it appears to do a better job of cleaning the clothes.
