trends Industry Recycling (NAPSA)—When it comes to recycling, there’s a lot more to being “green” than just aluminum cans and plastic bottles; even industrial chemicals can be reused. Drycleaners recycle just about everything, from cleaning fluid to garmentbags. One exampleis perchloroethylene (perc), the solvent used in the drycleaning process. This chemical, which is considered the most effective agent for removing oil, grease and dirt from clothes, can be purified and recycled over and over— almost indefinitely. As a result, one gallon of perc can clean up to a thousand poundsofclothing. Drycleaners also recycle both garment bags and hangers. Takeback policies vary from store to store, but if you do return used bags or hangers, be sure to remove any staples first. To receive a free brochure about perc, e-mail your address to the American Council on Science and Health at perc@acsh.org and ask for “What’s the Story? The Dry-Cleaning Chemical Perc.” ACSH is an independent, nonprofit consortium of physicians and scientists dedicated to consumer education.
