Most readers charge environmental fees.(TALK OF THE TRADE)

Six out of 10 drycleaners (61.1%) responding to the most recent Wire survey say they pass the costs of solvent taxes and fees on to customers. But not all operators inform patrons about the reasons behind the rates.

Roughly one-third (31.5%) pass along the costs and inform customers; some give the line item a name such as an "environmental impact" fee. Slightly fewer (29.6%) include the fee in pricing. And 38.9% say they don't pass along the costs at all. "We don't charge a waste fee because our customers will go somewhere else," one says.

"I wouldn't h