| Pollution prevention technologies hold the promise of eliminating the use of hazardous products and industrial processes that adversely affect the public good. While increasing attention has been paid to developing pollution prevention technologies, little work has focused on determining the viability of pollution prevention technologies and developing policies to promote their diffusion. This dissertation focuses on one pollution prevention technology---professional wet cleaning---a water-based alternative to perchloroethylene (PCE) dry cleaning. Viability of professional wet cleaning was analyzed by evaluating a series of PCE dry cleaners who converted to professional wet cleaning. A policy analysis was completed to assess the potential to promote the diffusion of professional wet cleaning. An alternatives assessment compared a range of garment care technologies. A random-sample survey of cleaners assessed potential market diffusion. A series of policy options were evaluated including demonstration projects, educational outreach, incentive programs, care labeling, and regulation of solvent-based cleaning. Findings confirmed professional wet cleaning as a viable substitute. Cleaners converting to professional wet cleaning successfully processed the full range of garments previously dry cleaned, had significantly lower operating costs, and significantly lower energy use. With respect to policy, the alternatives assessment revealed that professional wet cleaning had the lowest environmental footprint and the lowest operating costs. The random-sample survey revealed concerns about the technical performance of professional wet cleaning, that few cleaners were likely to voluntarily convert, and that Korean cleaners would likely be early adopters. The survey also showed a high degree of confidence in operating a professional wet cleaning plant if proper training was provided. The policy options analysis revealed that demonstration projects, education, and incentives were insufficient to create substantial diffusion. Coupled with a phase out of PCE dry cleaning, demonstration programs and incentives substantially increased diffusion. Development of new policy to create a "professional wet clean" care label and enforcement of existing fire code requirements for combustible dry cleaning alternatives would likely substantially increase the diffusion of professional wet cleaning. |
