Our Environment

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What we have changed and where to in the future

Over the past 7 years, we have made a conscious effort to address what we can change to do our part in helping the environment, and the impact Dry cleaning historically has had on the planet. 

Some of our changes have been

• An addition of a new dry cleaning machine in 2019, using a greener alternative, Hydrocarbon solvent. This has significantly reduced the amount of toxic waste removal as we move away from traditional perchloroethylene  use.
• Our detergents and finishers are all produced with the environment in mind.
• We encourage the return of good quality wire hangers for re-use to avoid them going to land fill.
• We have changed our lighting to LED. Previoulsy we were running 24 fluorescent tubes!
• MRDC has changed processes and does not run the machinery unnecessarily where we did in the past
• We also encourage our customers to bring in their cloth garment storage bags to reduce the amount of plastic sent out with the orders.
• Acknowledging the damage plastic causes, the shop has been using recycled paper carry bags for many years.

Into the future

• The move to solar is our next major change. 
• We will be endeavoring to move to cloth storage bags for furnishings and garments and completely phase out common plastic.
• Additionally, we are currently sourcing garment and furnishing plastic wrap that are compostable!

Fast Fashion

I have been guilty of purchasing 'fast fashion' items in the past. We all have. Since becoming aware of the impact fast fashion has on the environment, it has changed the way I shop and the method I keep or dispose of unwanted items. I now purposely look for clothing that is of natural fibers. Ones that can easily degrade in a compost bin or tip when they are no longer wearable.  I am making sure any polyester or man made fabric  pieces I have previously purchased are worn  or sent to the needy and not taking up closet space, or being upcycled into something new. 

Here are a few links just to help educate you on the impact of fast fashion.

• https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/dyeing-pollution-fashion-intl-hnk-dst-sept/index.html
• https://thinksustainabilityblog.com/2020/04/14/the-unsustainable-growth-of-fast-fashion/
• https://sustainability.uq.edu.au/projects/recycling-and-waste-minimisation/fast-fashion-quick-cause-environmental-havoc

Fair Trade

Fair Trade starts at home. An individual should be fairly compensated for the work they do. This extends to a business, as they should be sufficiently compensated for the service or product they provide. The product supplier should be fairly compensated. The manufacturer should be justly compensated. The employee of that company should be fairly compensated. See the circle of enterprise?

One way you can help is to source and purchase clothing or household items that have been produced in factories where the staff are cared for and paid fairly. You may pay a bit more, but you will have that piece for many years to come and the knowlege you have helped put food on someones table.