National Clothesline

Imagine working only one night a year. It sounds like an easy enough job, but then, it all depends on what you have to do while on the time clock. For Santa Claus, it turns out to be quite an endeavor as he has to pass along gifts to almost seven billion people (well, assuming all of us have been good this year). That’s a lot of stops and a great deal of heavy lifting. Perhaps OSHA and a host of other government agencies makes sure he wears a proper back brace and that the reindeer are awarded a pit stop every few hours. Even Santa has to deal with workplace regulations, after all.

Still, all of us hope that jolly Ol’ St. Nick keeps up with the proper certification and fills out all of the paperwork; if he doesn’t, then we might only get coal in our stockings (that is, if the EPA allows it). Even during a tough economic year, we are all hoping for something a little extra at this time. We all have wish lists. In fact, two of our monthly columnists have devoted articles this month to detailing theirs. James Peuster has a few requests that would surely improve the lives of cleaners who utilize routes, especially those who are not getting the most out of them. Also petitioning Mr. Claus is Don Desrosiers who seeks help for shirt launderers in the form of a few labor-saving adjustments and improvements.

Yes, it seems everybody is asking Santa for something, whether it is world peace, a better economy or the latest gadget or gizmo, but what about the white-haired man in red? Apart from the occasional plate of cookies and glass of milk, he doesn’t really ask for much back, and yet, doesn’t he deserve to have a wish list of his own?

Most likely, the top of that list would include free drycleaning for his familiar red work uniform. It’s a service that some cleaners already offer during the holiday season, but it’s not nearly as popular as other charitable causes such as cleaning American flags, Coats for Kids and prom dresses for teens. Indeed, that is a shame because Santa plays a vital annual role in most communities and he works selflessly to support them. He deserves to be the recipient of some charity as well.

At the end of the year, the holiday spirit takes hold of people, making them a little more caring, friendly and unselfish. Certainly your customers would feel even better knowing that they take their clothes to a plant that offers free cleaning for Father Christmas himself. It’s something you should think about as you compose your own wish list this holiday season.

Frankly, we had to blink and look twice when we saw that the state of New Jersey is offering reimbursements to drycleaners who have to replace their drycleaning machines to comply with state regulations. We have grown accustomed to regulatory agencies handing down new rules with little regard for how cleaners will meet the cost of compliance. When cleaners ask, “How do you expect us to pay for this?” they’re told, “Raise your prices,” or sometimes, with fingers placed firmly in ears, a loud, “We can’t hear you!”

But cleaners were heard in New Jersey, thanks to the diligent efforts of their trade associations and a few dedicated industry members who have been in dialogue with the state’s regulators throughout the process of developing new rules governing drycleaning. No doubt this process will continue when the next set of rules is proposed early next year, but for now we’re pleased to see the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection taking a lead by offering a fair compensation for cleaners who need to replace a perc machine to comply with state regulations. (Are you listening, California?)

This isn’t a “cash for clunkers” deal. In fact, the clunkers — machines older than 15 years – are left out. But perc machines purchased since 1996 will qualify with the amount of reimbursement based on the age, type and cleaning capacity of the machine. NJDEP will give better than half the estimated purchase price of a seven-year-old machine, for example.

And, in another example of putting its money where its mouth is, NJDEP will give an extra $15,000 if the perc equipment is replaced with professional wetcleaning equipment. California, the only other state offering money to drycleaners who switch to wetcleaning, offers a grant of $10,000. That’s it — no compensation for the equipment that is removed.

This type of compensation should be included in all proposals that would result in drycleaning equipment being made obsolete by regulation.



								National Clothesline






						Give a gift to the man who gives Imagine working only one night a year. It sounds like an easy enough job, but then, it all depends on what you have to do while on the time clock. For Santa Claus, it turns out to be quite an endeavor as he has to pass along gifts to almost seven billion people (well, assuming all of us have been good this year). That’s a lot of stops and a great deal of heavy lifting. Perhaps OSHA and a host of other government agencies makes sure he wears a proper back brace and that the reindeer are awarded a pit stop every few hours. Even Santa has to deal with workplace regulations, after all. Still, all of us hope that jolly Ol’ St. Nick keeps up with the proper certification and fills out all of the paperwork; if he doesn’t, then we might only get coal in our stockings (that is, if the EPA allows it). Even during a tough economic year, we are all hoping for something a little extra at this time. We all have wish lists. In fact, two of our monthly columnists have devoted articles this month to detailing theirs. James Peuster has a few requests that would surely improve the lives of cleaners who utilize routes, especially those who are not getting the most out of them. Also petitioning Mr. Claus is Don Desrosiers who seeks help for shirt launderers in the form of a few labor-saving adjustments and improvements. Yes, it seems everybody is asking Santa for something, whether it is world peace, a better economy or the latest gadget or gizmo, but what about the white-haired man in red? Apart from the occasional plate of cookies and glass of milk, he doesn’t really ask for much back, and yet, doesn’t he deserve to have a wish list of his own? Most likely, the top of that list would include free drycleaning for his familiar red work uniform. It’s a service that some cleaners already offer during the holiday season, but it’s not nearly as popular as other charitable causes such as cleaning American flags, Coats for Kids and prom dresses for teens. Indeed, that is a shame because Santa plays a vital annual role in most communities and he works selflessly to support them. He deserves to be the recipient of some charity as well. At the end of the year, the holiday spirit takes hold of people, making them a little more caring, friendly and unselfish. Certainly your customers would feel even better knowing that they take their clothes to a plant that offers free cleaning for Father Christmas himself. It’s something you should think about as you compose your own wish list this holiday season. A first that should not be the last Frankly, we had to blink and look twice when we saw that the state of New Jersey is offering reimbursements to drycleaners who have to replace their drycleaning machines to comply with state regulations. We have grown accustomed to regulatory agencies handing down new rules with little regard for how cleaners will meet the cost of compliance. When cleaners ask, “How do you expect us to pay for this?” they’re told, “Raise your prices,” or sometimes, with fingers placed firmly in ears, a loud, “We can’t hear you!” But cleaners were heard in New Jersey, thanks to the diligent efforts of their trade associations and a few dedicated industry members who have been in dialogue with the state’s regulators throughout the process of developing new rules governing drycleaning. No doubt this process will continue when the next set of rules is proposed early next year, but for now we’re pleased to see the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection taking a lead by offering a fair compensation for cleaners who need to replace a perc machine to comply with state regulations. (Are you listening, California?) This isn’t a “cash for clunkers” deal. In fact, the clunkers — machines older than 15 years – are left out. But perc machines purchased since 1996 will qualify with the amount of reimbursement based on the age, type and cleaning capacity of the machine. NJDEP will give better than half the estimated purchase price of a seven-year-old machine, for example. And, in another example of putting its money where its mouth is, NJDEP will give an extra $15,000 if the perc equipment is replaced with professional wetcleaning equipment. California, the only other state offering money to drycleaners who switch to wetcleaning, offers a grant of $10,000. That’s it — no compensation for the equipment that is removed. This type of compensation should be included in all proposals that would result in drycleaning equipment being made obsolete by regulation.