Dry Cleaning Regulated Wast
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- Regulated Waste: During the dry-cleaning process many operators of a dry-cleaning business decide to use PERC as their solvent. PERC or Tetrachloroethylene is considered as a regulated waste under the Government of Canada (SOR/2003-79). As a result, there are many regulations to be met to properly use PERC in one’s business.Select the next few tabs to learn more information on how to handle PERC.
- Handling, Recovering and Disposing Of PER: You must store all PERC, residue and waste water containing PERC in closed containers. Any container holding PERC, waste water and/or residue, including stills as well as button and lint traps, must be kept closed except when you need to access them. In addition to storage, as an owner and/or operator of a dry cleaning facility, you have the obligation to prevent PERC spills. In the event of a spill, you must contain the spill and prevent PERC from getting into the environment by using a second containment system. This means placing the container or machine containing PERC inside another container that will contain any spills.
Secondary Containment System Requirements:
- Be PERC-impermeable
- Encompass at least the entire surface under each dry cleaning machine, tank or other container containing PERC, waste water or residue [section 5(f)(i)];
- Be large enough to hold at least 110% of the capacity of the largest tank or container placed inside it
- You must also keep PERC-resistant drain plugs readily available to seal all floor drains that PERC, waste water or residue could enter in case there is a spill.
Secondary Containments typically, means placing the dry-cleaning machine, waste water bucket, sludge drum, waste water treatment system, etc. inside another container, such as a spill tray, pan, platform or pallet. If the dry cleaner does not have a spill tray then Extox Industries can provide the option of purchasing a drum in a drum to uphold the regulations for secondary containment.
When buying new machinery from Extox Industries Inc. you can be guaranteed that all regulations are met with the machine, which ensures the customer does not meet any consequences with the ministry.
Requirements for PERC recovery from machines
- You cannot use transfer machines (machines with separate drums for cleaning/extraction and drying/aeration) or self-service machines.
- Your machines must be equipped with a built-in refrigerated condenser and a PERC-water separator.
- Your machines must not vent to the open air during the washing, extraction, drying and aeration cycles.
- You must use a closed direct-coupled delivery system for PERC delivery.
- Machines installed after July 31, 2003, must have a manufacturer’s design PERC consumption rating equal to or less than 6.2 L (or 10 kg) of PERC per 1000 kg of clothing cleaned. Machines installed or in use prior to August 1, 2003, do not have to meet this consumption rating.
- Recording & Reporting: If you own or operate a dry cleaning facility that uses PERC, you have to keep records concerning the purchase and disposal of PERC-containing waste, including receipts and accounting books. Other records may include journals, logs, letters, emails and other supporting documentation. Receipts and accounting book entries must be kept of every purchase of PERC, the shipping of waste water and residue to a waste management facility, and the on-site treatment of waste water. You need to keep these records for five years after the end of the year in which an annual report was filed.
How to File Annual Reports:
Environment Canada provides a Mandatory Reporting Form for owners and operators of dry cleaning machines using PERC.
- Checklist for dry cleaners using PERC: Containers, tanks or dry-cleaning machines containing PERC, waste water or residue arestored within a secondary containment system that:
- is impermeable to PERC
- holds a volume equal to 110% of the largest tank or storage container
- covers at least the entire surface under each dry-cleaning machine, tank or other container
- PERC, waste water and residue are stored in closed containers (containers must have lids on them)
- PERC-resistant drain plugs are readily available to seal all floor drains in case of a spill
- Waste water (if not treated on site) and residue is transported at least once every 12 months to a waste management facility.
- All the waste water and residue that are within the dry-cleaning facility need to be transported.
- If waste water is treated on site, the waste water treatment system should have the required equipment.
- Dry-cleaning machines use the same drum for the washing, extraction, drying and aeration cycles
- Dry-cleaning machines are equipped with an integral refrigerated condenser.
- Dry-cleaning machines do not vent to the atmosphere during the washing, extraction, drying and aeration cycles
- Dry-cleaning machines have an integral PERC-water separator
- Dry-cleaning machines use a closed direct-coupled delivery system for PERC delivery
- Spotting agents that contain PERC are not used
- Submit Annual Report for Dry Cleaners by April 30th each year
- Maintain books, records and copies of reports submitted for at least five years
More Information: If you have more inquires about the process of regulated waste, particularly PERC, one can view additional information on the Government of Canada’s website.
Compliance information for dry cleaning owners and operators: PERC regulations
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-pollution/sources-industry/tetrachloroethylene-regulations-dry-cleaning/compliance-information-owners-operators.html
Fact Sheet on Secondary Containment
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/eccc/migration/main/regs-tetra/58958b3d-498f-44f9-a3cb-ebe0949d9527/1464_perc_4_pointers_for_secondary_containment_eng_03.pdf
Fact Sheet on PERC-Resistant Drain Plugs
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/eccc/migration/main/regs-tetra/58958b3d-498f-44f9-a3cb-ebe0949d9527/1464_perc_3_pointers_for_drainplugs_eng_03.pdf
Fact Sheet on Calculating 110% Capacity
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/eccc/migration/main/regs-tetra/58958b3d-498f-44f9-a3cb-ebe0949d9527/1464_perc_5_pointers_2ndcontainment110_eng_03.pdf
For additional information please contact
Extox Industries Inc.