National Clothesline

The future use of perc in drycleaning remains unclear throughout most of the country, but cleaners in the state of New Jersey still have an opportunity to upgrade from older perc machinery and receive money for their efforts.

Many cleaners have yet to take advantage of the New Jersey DEP’s Equipment Replacement Reimbursement Program, which has allotted more than $4 million to award statewide plants that meet its perc system removal and replacement requirements.

In order to qualify, cleaners must meet one of the following conditions: remove a perc system and replace it with an acceptable non-perc alternative (either a hydrocarbon or wetcleaning system); remove a third generation perc system and either replace it with a fourth generation perc machine or an acceptable non-perc alternative (either a hydrocarbon or wetcleaning system); or remove a fourth generation perc system from a facility that is co-residential without installing any new equipment in its stead.

The replacement process can take place at either a current business location or a new one; however, the owner/operator must remain the same.

Also, in order to qualify for the program, all machines being replaced must be 15 years old or newer.

Those who do qualify, however, will discover that the rate of their reimbursement hinges on a variety of factors such as: the type of system, the load capacity in pounds of clothing cleaned and the age of the equipment being removed.

For example, cleaners who opt to replace a 50-lb. perc machine that is five years old this year could qualify for $36,000. Another cleaner replacing a 12-year old machine with a 45-lb. capacity by the end of 2010 could receive $10,000. So, cleaners replacing newer machines will qualify for more money.

Also, cleaners who substitute a professional wetcleaning system for an older perc machine will be eligible to receive an extra $15,000 on top of their designated reimbursement.

The NJ DEP provides various tables on its web site to help cleaners calculate the potential amount of they could receive through the program.

There are four different charts altogether that detail reimbursements for all types and sizes of perc machines based on which year they are removed: either in 2010, 2011, 2012 or 2013.

Because the replacement of the last table ends prior to 2014, there is speculation that new proposed regulations for the state due out sometime this year will mark the start of that year as the deadline for replacing 3rd generation perc drycleaning machines.

In order to be eligible for a grant, cleaners must complete a reimbursement application and submit a W-9 form to be reviewed by the NJ DEP before the equipment is replaced or removed.

Once eligibility is confirmed, the Department must then verify that the equipment to be removed meets the qualifications for the reimbursement grant, as well as the new equipment to be installed in its place.

For more information on the program, including access to the reimbursement tables and application forms, visit online at www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/drycleanergrant.html or call the NJ DEP office at (602) 292-3133.