FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Lynda and Rick Wood
Davis Imperial Cleaners
773.267.4560

CONTACT: Ann Hargrove
Green Cleaners Council
800.888.1622

Davis Imperial Cleaners is the First Cleaner in Illinois to be Named a Certified Green Cleaner by the Green Cleaners Council

Davis Imperial Cleaners Earns Certified Green Cleaner Award!

Chicago, IL (March 3, 2009) - As Earth Day approaches and the nation’s attention is focused on the green initiatives incorporated into President Obama’s Stimulus Package, one dry cleaner can rightfully claim to be a “green” cleaner. Rick and Lynda Wood of Davis Imperial Cleaners are proud to announce they are the first dry cleaner in Illinois named a “Certified Green Cleaner” by the Green Cleaners Council.

While the federal government is instituting programs to help make America greener, the Green Cleaners Council recognizes the tremendous investment of time and money already being made by individual dry cleaners to become greener without government subsidies. According to Ann Hargrove, Past Director of the Professional Wetcleaners Network and Board Member of the Green Cleaners Council, a dry cleaner’s impact on the environment goes far beyond what kind of cleaning processes they use. “We’ve been concerned about the lack of government oversight in environmental claims regarding dry cleaning, and the resulting greenwashing by many cleaners. We knew it was time to focus on all the areas of environmental sustainability and to give consumers a way to judge how genuine and wide reaching their cleaner’s commitment was to creating a greener world. Earning a four leaf designation, we weren’t in the least bit surprised to find that Davis Imperial Cleaners was among the most proactive in this regard.”

“We are truly honored to receive this award from the prestigious Green Cleaners Council, said Lynda and Rick Wood. Davis Imperial Cleaners, recognized as a Certified Couture Cleaner by Leading Cleaners Internationale, “Best Couture Cleaner” by Chicago magazine and a Certified Environmental Drycleaner was founded in 1956 by Lynda’s parents Leona and Bernard Davis. Since our company’s inception we have always considered our employees, clients and neighbors as family. It has been with their support that we have been able to reach this level of environmental recognition and compliance.”

The Green Cleaners Council performs an in-depth analysis of the cleaner’s operating practices, from the front of the store to the back, including products, water use, electricity, delivery vehicles, alternative energy sources, energy conservation, hanger recycling and the use of recyclable bags, to name just a few. The Council verifies the information, adds up the “eco-points” associated with each issue and rates the cleaner, demonstrating the environmental sustainability of their business.

Evaluating every facet of the operation including cleaning technologies, the Council set defined environmental sustainability benchmarks, as well as ethical standards regarding green marketing and green washing in the dry cleaning industry. Applicants are rated on their overall commitment to environmental sustainability programs, responsible solvent use, recycling efforts and smart energy and water conservation as it is practiced throughout their entire operation.

The Green Cleaners Council, counting the many ways a professional cleaner can be green, is comprised of a broad cross- section of disciplines with an interest in environmental sustainability in the dry cleaning industry. Among those represented are dry cleaning customers, attorneys, engineers and waste management experts, as well as the National Cleaners Association, who in cooperation with concerned consumers, was instrumental in its formation. The Green Cleaners Council web site (www.greencleanerscouncil.com) explains the program, the rating system, identifies participating green cleaners as well as the requirements to receive the different ratings.


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For a newsworthy interview about Davis Imperial Cleaners, contact Lynda Wood at 773.267.4560, (lynda@davisimperial.com)

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For a newsworthy interview about the Green Cleaners Council, contact Ann Hargrove at 800.888.1622, (ann8132@aol.com )