Dry cleaner waste

Apply for the PERC equipment replacement program

Apply for our PERC equipment replacement program if you are a dry cleaner that uses perchloroethylene (PERC). You could receive up to:

$40,000 to switch to professional wet cleaning, or
$10,000 to switch to hydrocarbon.

Dry cleaning and garment care businesses can generate dangerous waste. Chemicals in these facilities, such as perchloroethylene (PERC), can contaminate water and soil, and be hazardous to workers. PERC is toxic and known to cause cancer. We work with local businesses to ensure dangerous waste is handled safely and correctly.

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Click to view the separator water guidance poster. — Order a free copy of this poster.

How to dispose of separator water

Read the steps outlined on our Collect, Empty, and Dispose of Separator Water poster.

Do not dispose of it down a drain, toilet, or sink.
Do not evaporate or mist it.
Do not pour it on the ground.

Always manage separator water as dangerous waste:

Collect in a container (leave 4 inches between fill line and lid).
Label the container "toxic waste."
Write the accumulation start date on the container.
Store it inside using secondary containment.

Frequently asked questions

Most dry cleaning and garment care facilities have similar types of dangerous waste.

Aerosol cans.
Absorbent materials contaminated with dangerous waste (often PERC).
Detergents and cleaners.
Lint (often contaminated with PERC or other hazardous products that become waste).
Machinery (like machine filters) contaminated with PERC or other dangerous waste.
Mercury light bulbs and lamps.
Solvents:
- Spotting agents.
- PERC.
- Trichloroethylene.
- Sludge or “bottoms” from solvent stills that recycle solvents.
- Toluene.
- MEK.
- Glycol ethers liquid silicone.
- Liquid CO₂.
- Brominate solvents.
- Other solvents.
Used shop towels.
Water (wash water, separator water) and muck, contaminated with PERC.

Following pollution prevention (P2) best practices can reduce pollution and lower overall costs. For dry cleaners, we recommend that you:

Use newer, more efficient equipment (like a closed loop dry-to-dry system) to reduce solvent use and waste.
Replace activated carbon adsorber PERC traps with a refrigerated condenser to reduce PERC-contaminated separator water.
Dissolve any additive completely before the solvent goes through the filter.
Fill the filter housing completely with solvent when you are not using the equipment.
Keep solvent return temperatures at or below 90 degrees F or 32 degrees Centigrade (C) when you run the still. This decreases solvent loss through the storage tank vent.
Inspect equipment and piping regularly for leaks, worn parts, proper temperatures, and solvent "mileage." Repair problems quickly.

For more help, contact our pollution prevention assistance (PPA) team.

Translated content

We offer free language services about our programs and services for people whose primary language is not English. We can provide written information in your preferred language and interpreters in person or over the telephone.

Contact our Language Access team: civilrights@ecy.wa.gov

Contact information

Sean Smith
425-324-0328
sean.smith@ecy.wa.gov