Amy’s Cleaners of Port Orchard has become a 4-star EnviroStars certified business. Sponsored by the Bremerton-Kitsap County Health District, the Envirostars Program recognizes small businesses that handle hazardous waste in a careful and environmentally responsible manner. This voluntary recognition program offers businesses an opportunity to let their customers and community know that they care about the environment and that they are taking steps to reduce the amount of hazardous waste they generate.

At Amy’s Cleaners, a new generation of dry cleaning machinery is in place that uses a non-toxic hydrocarbon cleaning solvent (HCS) rather than the conventional solvent (perchlorethene, or Perc) used by most dry cleaners. There are presently few dry cleaners in the area with the HCS machinery, and owner Kyz Kim has been actively giving tours and demonstrating the equipment to colleagues in the dry cleaning business.

Other steps Amy’s Cleaners is taking to reduce its volume of hazardous waste include using spot cleaners sparingly, taking careful precautions to reduce chemical spills by using secondary containers, and purchasing least toxic alternatives whenever possible. Amy’s Cleaners is also taking steps to reduce solid waste by recycling hangers, reusing or recycling plastic garment bags, and donating uncollected clothing to local charities.

Amy’s Cleaners is located at 3377 Bethel Road, Suite 105, in Port Orchard. The phone number is (360) 876-3255.