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Clean clothes on hangers at dry cleaners.

Minnesota passed a legislative ban on perchloroethylene (perc) for dry cleaning use starting in January 2026.

Alternative cleaning systems

Aqueous or “wet” cleaning uses water-based solutions to remove contaminants from surfaces instead of harsh chemicals. The aqueous cleaning process involves immersing or spraying the items to be cleaned with a water-based solution. This solution typically contains detergents, surfactants, and sometimes additional additives tailored to the specific cleaning requirements.  

The hydrocarbon cleaning method uses a high-flash-point petroleum-based solvent. Non-chlorinated solvents have been used for many years in dry cleaning applications. Hydrocarbon dry cleaning solvents can be classified as hazardous waste.

Liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) cleaning uses liquid CO2 as a cleaning solvent and a gently rotating drum to achieve the mechanical action necessary for soil removal. Liquid CO2 is nonflammable solvent. The process does not produce hazardous waste and associated waste management and disposal problems.

GreenEarth is a dry cleaning process that uses methyl siloxane, a liquid silicone compound that has a low surface tension allowing quick wetting of fibers. Its density, close to that of water, helps remove insoluble soils with proper mechanical action.

Hazardous waste

Evaluate if the solvents used at your facility are considered hazardous waste. 

You need a hazardous waste identification number if your business produces any amount of hazardous waste.

Businesses generating most types of hazardous waste are required to report annually, pay a fee, and obtain a license for the subsequent year. Facilities in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties are licensed and inspected by their county. Facilities in Greater Minnesota are licensed and inspected by the MPCA. If you produce only small amounts of hazardous waste, you probably qualify as a very small quality generator:

See the Hazardous waste identification and management page for information on managing specific types of hazardous waste.

Training

Annual hazardous waste training is required for large quantity generators (2,200+ pounds a month) and small quantity generators (220 to 2,200 pounds a month), and recommended for very small quantity generators (less than 220 pounds a month). Free training is available from the MPCA and some counties in the Twin Cities metropolitan area:

Hazardous waste due dates

RequirementDue date
Hazardous waste generators feeMailed to license holders in first quarter, due date on invoice
License applicationDue August 15 for Greater Minnesota businesses;
Twin Cities metro businesses: contact your county

Recycling and trash

Cleaners in the Twin Cities metropolitan area are required to recycle if they have more than four cubic yards of trash per week.

Wastewater

Do not send dry cleaning wastewater to a septic system or storm sewer. You have three options for disposing of wastewater:

  • manage it as hazardous waste and have it hauled off site for disposal
  • get permission to discharge it to your local wastewater treatment plant; contact them to learn what is required; in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, this is usually Metropolitan Council Environmental Services
  • manage wastewater using an evaporator that meets the definition of a wastewater treatment unit specified in Minnesota rules (new evaporators connected to city sewer systems most likely meet the definition); the evaporator must:
    • be commercially manufactured or designed, and certified by a professional engineer registered in Minnesota
    • treat wastewater to below 0.7 milligrams/liter of perc before evaporation; keep proof of this on site, either from the manufacturer or lab test results (40 CFR 261.24 Toxicity characteristic)
    • be inspected, along with all associated parts, regularly by the owner

Local regulation

Check with your county, city, and township to see if they have any additional requirements.

Additional resources