plastic pollution

Beware of Green Washing by “Organic” Dry Cleaners

clean technology, environment, green business, Non-toxic cleaners, plastic pollution

Earth Day message from Green Apple Cleaners

by Martha Shaw

NEW YORK, NY – April 22, 2008 –”Organic” and “green” claims by dry cleaners are showing up on every corner, but customers must beware of this misleading marketing tactic. The term “organic” refers to toxic volatile organic compounds found in dry cleaning solvents, and there is nothing environmentally friendly about them. Used in lieu of safe and effective modern cleaning technologies, these organic compounds are harsh, potentially toxic chemicals ranging from petroleum-based perchloroethylene and hydrocarbons to liquid silicone.

Unlike organic food, organic dry cleaning is neither healthy for the planet, nor healthy for people. In fact, numerous studies report quite the opposite to be true. The chemicals used pose such a threat to the environment that in many states they are being outlawed.

Thanks to new technology, clothes labeled “Dry Clean Only” can now be cleaned harmlessly with pressurized liquid carbon dioxide in a method called CO2-cleaning, and with water in a process called Wet-cleaning. These gentle cleaning processes work to get clothes clean, while holding their shape and protecting the integrity and color of the fabric from harsh detergents that also wreak havoc on the environment.

How can you find a CO2 dry cleaner? There aren’t many. Because the equipment is at a premium and must be operated by highly skilled garment specialists, CO2 dry cleaners are few and far between. Just don’t be fooled by signs that read, “organic.” Search engines, and the website www.findco2.com can help you to find a bona fide CO2 cleaner in your area.

New York City and New Jersey residents have the advantage of Green Apple Cleaners, the only CO2 dry cleaner in the Northeast. This eco-conscious, door-to-door service offers non-toxic cleaning and spot removal for shirts, suits, coats, dresses, shoes, handbags, linens, drapes, carpets, furniture and mattresses, as well as in-home tailoring. And the company itself is green through and through, from the plant to the planet.

This Earth Day, take a stand against green washing by misleading “organic” or “green” cleaners who use perchloroethylene, hydrocarbons, and liquid silicone. Choose safe, natural CO2 or water, the universal solvent. It’s better for you, your clothes and the environment. Get the truth about green dry cleaning at greenapplecleaners.com.

For more information, please contact:

David Kistner Green Apple Cleaners
Phone: (888) 458-8262
Website: www.greenapplecleaners.com
Martha Shaw Earth Advertising
Phone: (212) 933-1391
Website: www.earthadvertising.com

Green Apple Cleaners turning the Big Apple Green

clean technology, Conscious Consumers, environment, Health, Non-toxic cleaners, plastic pollution, United Nations

New York, NY – January 31, 2008 – New York State has filed lawsuits against at least three companies for groundwater and soil contamination that they attribute to perc, the dry cleaning chemical perchloroethylene (PCE) used by over 90% of all drycleaners. In California and recently proposed in New Jersey, the use of perc in dry cleaning will be outlawed within the decade. Not only bad for your health, it turns out that harsh dry cleaning chemicals and traditional finishing methods can also be harmful to clothing by dulling the finish, breaking fibers and leaving residues on the garments.

The timing couldn’t be better for health conscious Green Apple Cleaners, the only environmentally friendly dry cleaner in Manhattan. At the Green Apple Cleaners plant in New Jersey, trained specialists using state-of-the-art CO2, Wet Cleaning and European Finishing equipment, treat garments with gentle handling. The special care they give to the clothes, and to the customers, has been recognized by Green Apple Cleaners’ acceptance into the elite group of prestigious cleaners – “America’s Best Cleaners(TM)”. Their care for the planet has placed them among New York’s top green businesses and they are one of the founding members of the Sustainable Business Network of New York.

Taking care of the environment was the brainstorm of entrepreneur David Kistner and his partner Christopher Skelley who founded the business in 2006. When Mr. Kistner’s wife announced they were having twins four years ago, he vowed to keep hazardous chemicals not only out of reach, but also out of their home. In searching for safer dry cleaning in New York, he found no alternative solutions. Two years later, Green Apple Cleaners is now servicing over 450 buildings in Manhattan and over 9,000 clients, including the big apple’s most celebrated personalities. Though the bulk of their business is pickup and delivery, they have already added two storefront locations last year with four more planned for 2008.

The popularity of Green Apple Cleaners is a sign that New York City is serious about going green. Another boost for the brand is that more people are catching on to the misleading “organic” signs cropping up on dry cleaning windows all over town. As the CEO and founder David Kistner says, “If clothes could talk they’d tell you that “organic” means volatile organic compounds – pretty tricky!”

On another environmental front, Mayor Bloomberg’s new plastic bag recycling law will require over 2,000 stores in Manhattan, including many large dry cleaning operations, to take responsibility for their plastic bags. “It is important to take as many steps as we can to recycle plastic bags,” Bloomberg says. “They are not biodegradable, but instead break down into small pieces that pollute the water and soil. Due to their light weight, plastic bags can easily escape from our sanitation system…” Green Apple Cleaners supports waste reduction with its signature black garment bags used to transport dry cleaning to and from their customers in eco-friendly vehicles. Any disposable bags they use are 100% biodegradable.

Early on, Green Apple Cleaners founders secured the telephone identity 1-888 I LUV CO2 to tout CO2 as the key to cleaner cleaning, and wrote the company motto themselves: The Cleaner Dry Cleaner. Get the real dirt on dry cleaning by visiting www.greenapplecleaners.com