Sasha Ablitt, of Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners and Launderers, next to the company’s bailer machine, which compresses film plastic for pick up by Trex.
As part of its 5-year anniversary of going green, Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners and Launderers plans to switch out their lights in January 2015 to save energy and be more eco-friendly.
This is an extension of Ablitt’s already robust recycling program.
“I have always been a recycler,” said owner Sasha Ablitt, whose parents founded the dry cleaners in 1984. “It’s always been part of who I am.”
In 2010, Ms. Ablitt set up a partnership with Trex, the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking products. Trex buys bails of film plastic (the thin plastic used to cover dry-cleaned clothes) from Ablitt’s and turns it into plastic flooring. Since Trex’s first pick up almost five years ago, Ablitt’s has recycled more than 5,000 pounds of plastic through Trex, Ms. Ablitt said.
In addition to the film plastic, Ablitt’s also has programs in place to recycle paper, textiles and hangers. The Ablitt family also donates clothes if they are left at the dry cleaners for more than a year.
Last year, Ablitt’s recycled 25 percent of its waste. This year, it recycled 75 percent, according to a Marborg report.
“I am so proud of my staff for embracing and contributing to our recycling programs,” Ms. Ablitt said.