Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund

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Last updated July 25, 2017

As of Sept. 3, 2012, the Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust (DERT) Fund is no longer accepting new applications for enrollment until further notice.

DERT Fund Assessment Project
If there is an old dry cleaner, a current dry cleaner, a building or a piece of property you believe at one time may have been a dry cleaner, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources may be able to help.  We can help identify environmental concerns and offer cleanup assistance, maximizing your redevelopment efforts.

The DERT Fund, is administered by the Hazardous Waste Program's (HWP) 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. Submittal of the Dry Cleaner Registration form (eServices link) and surcharge before April 1 of the calendar year will satisfy these requirements.

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 department. 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 HWPs DERT Fund.

Some dry cleaning facilities may also be required to pay air emission fees.  Please contact Terry Stock of the Air Pollution Control Program at 573-751-4817 or 1659 E. Elm St. in Jefferson City for assistance and to determine if your dry cleaning facility is required to pay the emissions fees.

If you require assistance regarding the DERT Fund, contact the DERT Fund at
573-526-8913 or P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 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 webpage. 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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (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.