March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Six Santa Monica Drying Cleaning Businesses Busted For Misleading Customers:

A Santa Monica City Attorney’s office investigation has found that six Santa Monica dry cleaning businesses were unable to produce evidence that support their claims of being “non-toxic,” “safe,” and “environmentally friendly.”

The six businesses — Cleaner By Nature, Courtyard Cleaners, Dry Clean Express, Eco Cleaners, Plaza Cleaners, and TJ Cleaners — have agreed to stop making unsubstantiated environmental claims in their advertising.

Santa Monica Deputy City Attorney Adam Radinsky said more and more consumers want eco-friendly products.

“It’s big business these days,” Radinsky said. “That makes it all the more important for consumers to be sure that the advertising claims are true.”

The investigation was a joint effort between the City Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit and the City’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment (OSE).

Under California law, the City can demand that any business making factual claims in its advertising, substantiate those claims with hard evidence.

The Consumer Protection Unit and OSE began investigating local cleaners last year, after learning that many were making environmental claims about their dry cleaning processes, and had doubts about their truthfulness.

Consumers should report any questionable environmental advertising claims to the City Attorney’s Office at 310.458.8336 or smconsumer.org.

Background on Dry Cleaning practices and the investigation, courtesy of The City Attorney’s office

For many years, most dry cleaners in California used the chemical perchloroethylene (“perc”) for dry cleaning. The use of perc, a known carcinogen and listed Toxic Air Contaminant in California, is being phased out for dry cleaning operations in California, leading to the use of new substances.

One of the six businesses uses a product called “Green Earth,” made from a chemical known as D5, in its dry cleaning process. The other businesses use a hydrocarbon-based dry cleaning process. Neither of these solvents has been proven non-toxic to humans, according to the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA).

The Federal Trade Commission recently issued its revised Green Guides, a set of rules that govern environmental advertising claims nationwide. The FTC prohibits the use of broad and vague claims such as the above. It also requires any factual claims to be supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence. If the term “non-toxic” is used, it must be supported by such evidence and it must apply to both the environment and individual people.

None of the six businesses produced evidence to back its green claims.

Although the D5 and hydrocarbon solvents are generally recognized as being safer than perc, the City maintains that calling them “non-toxic” or “environmentally friendly” is misleading and unsubstantiated — and violates the FTC guidelines.

in News
Related Posts

Customers at These Palisades Stores Can Get Cash Rewards for Sharing Their Experience

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Thumzup is Starting its L.A. Footprint Expansion with Pacific Palisades Thumzup, a company which aims to democratize the social media...

Homeless Man Sentenced to State Prison for Crimes Against Homeless Women

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Man Pleads No Contest to Series of Sexual Assaults Anthony Pittman, currently homeless, has pled no contest to a series...

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @smmirrornews...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....