Over 50 dry cleaners have switched from toxic PERC

Protect, Preserve, Enhance: Inside Washington's Department of Ecology

Washington has reached a major milestone in reducing the use of toxic substances thanks to the successful efforts of the state Department of Ecology’s Product Replacement Program.

Fifty dry cleaning businesses across the state have now switched from using toxic perchloroethylene (PERC) to a less toxic alternative since 2019. However, approximately 60 PERC-using businesses are still operating, prompting Ecology to redouble its efforts to eliminate the hazardous chemical from use.