Rembrandt Dry Cleaners in Royal Oak (Credit: myFOXDetroit.com)
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (myFOXDetroit.com) -
Behind the scenes at Rembrandt Dry Cleaners on West Eleven Mile in Royal Oak, there is a high tech setup the owner says is more green than most others cleaners.
"What makes it eco-friendly is the kind of chemistry that is used in this facility," Michael Szczotka from Eagle Star Equipment explained.
The business uses alternative solvents instead of perchlorethylene, the standard chemical dry cleaners use. Perc, as it's called, has been linked to kidney and liver disease, cancer and environmental risks, but what Rembrandt uses is more earth friendly.
"It's actually a solvent that isn't considered toxic as far as a hazardous waste, and it is also lighter than water," Szczotka said.
The machines they use in a closed loop system are another key e-friendly component.
"They're very tight, very sophisticated and automated with computer control on them," said Szczotka.
Rembrandt cleans about 400 to 600 items a day. In order to accomplish that, their machines are up and running about seven hours at a time.
As a whole, we're told dry cleaning is becoming a cleaner industry thanks to government restrictions. About 15 to 20 percent of Michigan dry cleaners use alternative solvents, but there are still hundreds of others out there using harsh chemicals.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:48:50 GMT
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction.
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