Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund

The Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund, also known as the DERT Fund, is administered by the Hazardous Waste Program's Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Section. Senate Bill 577 established the DERT Fund and RSMo 260.920 authorized the DERT Fund. The DERT fund established monies for investigation, assessment and remediation of releases of chlorinated solvents from dry cleaning facilities. All dry cleaning facilities, including coin operated dry cleaners, are subject to the requirements of this statute. Prisons, government entities, hotels, motels and industrial laundries are specifically exempt.  Dry cleaning facilities that use only non-chlorinated solvents (i.e. Stoddard, Pure Dry, Green Earth, DF 2000) are exempt from this fund.

Operators of an active dry cleaning facility are required to register with the department, as outlined in RSMo 260.915. Each active dry cleaning facility is required to pay an annual registration surcharge based upon the number of gallons of chlorinated solvents used during the calendar year, as outlined in RSMo 260.935.

During the 2000 legislative session, the Missouri General Assembly established registration surcharges applicable to Missouri dry cleaners. These requirements became effective Aug. 28, 2000. Section 260.915, Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo), require each operator of an active dry cleaning facility to register with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Every active dry cleaning facility is required to pay an annual registration surcharge based upon the number of gallons of chlorinated solvents used during the calendar year, as stated in Section 260.935, RSMo. These are to be submitted to the Hazardous Waste Program's Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund.

In addition to the new registration surcharges required by the DERT Fund, dry cleaning facilities that use perchloroethylene are also required to pay an annual fee in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's national perc air emissions standard for dry cleaning facilities (40 CFR part 63 subpart M) adopted by the Air Pollution Control Program on Dec. 30, 1996.  Dry cleaning facilities using volatile organic solvents, such as stoddard solvent, also known as mineral spirits, as stated in the rule 10 CSR 10-6.110 Submission of Emission Data, Emission Fees, and Process Information, might also be required to pay an emission fee to the Air Pollution Control Program.  Dry cleaners that use stoddard are required to pay an annual emissions fee if the dryer capacity on their machine exceeds 38 Kg. Any fees paid to a local air agency should be subtracted from the emission fees paid to the Air Pollution Control Program.

The dry cleaner Registration Form and instructions (eServices link) are intended to satisfy the reporting requirements for both programs. Please complete and return the form with a separate payment for the DERT Fund and a separate payment for the Air Pollution Control Program emissions fee before April 1 of each calendar year.

Please contact Terry Stock of the Air Pollution Control Program at 573-751-4817 or 1659 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO for assistance and to determine if your dry cleaning facility is required to complete the emissions portion of the form.

If you require assistance regarding the DERT Fund, please contact the DERT Fund at
573-526-8913 or P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0176

Related Links
Copies of the Missouri Revised Statutes, including the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Law and the Petroleum Storage Tank Law, are available online through the Missouri General Assembly Web page.  With regard to dry cleaners, see Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 260, Environmental Control. The Drycleaner Remediation law can be found at 260.900
to 260.965.

State Coalition for Remediation of Drycleaners
The State Coalition for Remediation of Drycleaners was established in 1998, with support from the EPA Technology Innovation Office.  It is comprised of representatives of states with established dry cleaner remediation programs. Currently the member states are Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas
and Wisconsin.

EPA Garment and Textile Care Partners
EPA's garment and textile project partnership established to encourage the development and incorporation of environmentally preferable cleaning methods that professional cleaners can offer to their customers while maintaining or increasing economic viability.