Solutions

A major glass manufacturing plant in the eastern USA was slated by its' corporate parent organization for closure. This plant had been operating at its' present location for over 40 years. WTS has been their innovative environmental service provider for over 20 years.

This closure involved shipment of manufacturing equipment overseas, and complete demolition and restoration of the property. After removal of the manufacturing equipment, WTS worked with the client and selected contractors to develop a comprehensive plan for demolition and restoration of the property.

Phase 1 of the remediation involved identification of glass making chemical products remaining on site. WTS arranged to recycle the unused materials, thus eliminating disposal, its associated liabilities and costs to the client. Estimated savings during this phase exceed $500,000.

Phase II of the demolition required identification of various portions of the structures as hazardous or non-hazardous wastes for recycling or disposal. WTS, in conjunction with the client developed a sampling plan that was environmentally protective, operationally efficient, and fully acceptable to the state agency overseeing the demolition.


Phase III of the remediation plan included the investigation of surrounding on-site soils and identify the need for removal of any contamination. WTS worked closely with the appropriate agencies and site engineers to develop sampling efficiencies to promote limited soil removal.

As a result of the sampling plan, it was determined that a portion of the demolition material could be used as clean fill to fill in pits, basements, and other low areas, bringing some areas back to grade. This management method will help to make the property more amenable to future industrial development and allowed the client to save over $500,000 in off-site transportation and disposal costs.

In addition, WTS was able to identify approximately 2,000 tons of refractory brick that was suitable for re-use in steel and refractory markets. Costs savings to the client as a result of this re-use was in excess of $150,000.

Our on-site Project Management Team members worked with the client and the demolition contractor to ensure all materials being sent off site for disposal or recycling were properly segregated at the point of generation. Proper segregation and good work practices made the loading of materials for off site shipment more efficient. Equipment and labor down time were reduced and/or eliminated by the efficiencies brought by the WTS Project Management Team. It is estimated that another $300,000 in savings were achieved through the proper segregation, allowing for more materials to be recycled rather than disposed of.

During the entire process, the client and demolition contractor had access to a single point of contact in the WTS Technical Services Team to facilitate rapid and accurate scheduling of all recycling and disposal activities. The WTS Technical Service Team coordinated all scheduling activities associated with this demolition while providing our client with ongoing summaries of activities which allowed for real time tracking of expenditures throughout the demolition process.

Upon completion of on-site activities, we thoroughly reviewed all invoices and reports associated with the project before forwarding final invoices to the client. Certificates of Disposal or Recycling (as appropriate) were forwarded with the final reports to complete our client's recordkeeping requirements.

This comprehensive approach brought together a variety of our services and innovative environmental solutions. This included, recycling, re-use, proper segregation, cooperation with state regulators, safe and cost effective waste removal, transportation and disposal and our on-site project management team. This solution saved our client over $1.5 million.

Plant Closure

WTS assisted in the closure of a small specialty organic chemical manufacturing plant in North Carolina. The project involved the removal/disposal of process wastes and unused chemicals as well as wastes generated from the cleaning and decontamination of process equipment and storage tanks. Also involved was the closure of a WWTP that had been utilized to treat process wastewaters on-site. The closure of the WWTP involved the removal and off site disposal of approx. 300,000 gallons of wastewater and approx. 50,000 gallons of sludge.

Through our network of suppliers we were able to find direct reuse options for over 50,000 gallons of solvents, acids and caustic liquids for a cost savings of over $100,000. In addition to the cost savings realized from the reuse of unused chemicals, WTS located regional disposal facilities that met our high level of environmental standards while providing low cost treatment and disposal. By utilizing best fit facilities, we were also able to greatly reduce transportation and disposal costs. It is estimated that the total cost savings were approx. $150,000.

Our on-site team collaborating with the WTS Technical Services Team was able to facilitate the proper handling of over 20,000 gallons of waste materials per day.