The Five Star Recognition Program

A five star system is used by the Dry Cleaners' Partnership to recognize drycleaners voluntarily working to minimize wastes. This system is designed to help customers identify and characterize drycleaners attempting to make a difference in the environment.

Drycleaners in the program can enjoy:

• Customer appreciation and recognition,
• Peer recognition, and
• A marketing tool to attract new customers.

Stars are awarded on the criteria listed below, with each level building on the previous star's requirements. In order to qualify for each of the following stars, the drycleaner must:

• Join the Wisconsin Drycleaner's Project focusing on Pollution Prevention,
• Strive to reduce solvent usage,
• Comply with federal and state environmental and worker health and safety regulations as demonstrated in Regulatory Compliance for Wisconsin Drycleaners; Environmental Management Program (EMP) publishing by the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute (WFI).
• Respond to questions by neighbors and customers regarding solvents, and
• Use a licensed hazardous waste hauler.

• Qualify as a one star drycleaner,
• Participate annually in technical drycleaning and environmental management seminars,
• Have a written spill prevention policy and spill prevention devices, and
• Know Wisconsin spill reporting and responsibility laws.

• Qualify as a two star drycleaner,
• Recycle and reuse plastic garment bags,
• Attend one state or regional continuing education conference,
• Have someone in management pass a Certified Environmental Drycleaner exam,
• Achieve a solvent mileage of 500 lbs/gallon, and
• Achieve 15% wet cleaning.

• Qualify as a three star dry cleaner,
• Achieve a solvent mileage of 650 lbs/gallon,
• Achieve 20% wet cleaning,
• Have someone in management who has passed a Certified Professional Drycleaner exam, and
• Conduct a self-compliance audit.

• Qualify as a four star drycleaner,
• Do something extra-ordinary for the environment related to drycleaning,
• Implement and maintain an employee health and safety air monitoring program,
• Achieve 25% wet cleaning,
• Pass a facility compliance audit, and
• Achieve a solvent mileage of 800 lbs/gallon.

Tell your company President or CEO about the importance of being a drycleaning partner and sign up now [PDF 20KB].