Invention #7: Green Dry Cleaning
Friday, August 29th, 2008Invention: Green Dry Cleaning
Type: Novel Service
Summary: Too many hangers, too much plastic: Dry cleaning has a lot of waste and that waste also creates a lot of hassle and clutter.
Explanation: A dry cleaner that requires an up front purchase of a garment bag and a deposit on hangers. When a customer joins the dry cleaner, the cleaner requires that the customer purchase at least one of their over-sized garment bags. The garment bags are reusable and protect the newly cleaned slacks and shirts during transport, replacing the need for single use plastic sheaths. In addition, the specially designed bags can be used to house dirty laundry and hangars needing to go back to the cleaners. The garment bag, with cloths and hangars, is dropped off en masse. When the customer picks up their laundry, the cloths are back in the garment bag and every shirt/suit/pants is on a reusable, nice, hanger which the customer is charged a deposit on. The customer’s account tracks when a hanger is brought back (credits the account) and each hanger given to the customer (debits the account). This removes the need for wire/cardboard hangers that clutter up closets and generate waste. Other novel “green” methods may also be employed for branding, including delivery using low/no emissions vehicles.
Utility: Overall, the green dry cleaner saves on materials, plastic and hangers, and passes on the costs of some materials to the customers. Moreover, due to the uniqueness of the green dry cleaner, it adds an differentiating element in a mostly commoditized service industry. Customers receive high quality hangers and garment bags adding to the level of service as well as saving themselves the hassle of dealing with all of the cumbersome waste.
