PCB Manufacturing Facility Clearance
A 14-week clearance of a former PCB manufacturing facility removed 85 tonnes of hazardous waste and equipment, achieving 92 per cent recycling while leaving the site safe, compliant and ready for refurbishment.
The Challenge
Following the closure of a former printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing facility, the landlord required a complete hazardous waste clearance after the previous tenant vacated the premises, leaving behind large quantities of hazardous chemicals, production equipment, process tanks and manufacturing waste.
We were appointed to coordinate and manage the clearance, ensuring all waste streams and redundant equipment were handled safely, compliantly and through the appropriate specialist disposal routes.
The landlord required the site to be completely cleared and made safe before it could be marketed for redevelopment and let to a new occupier.
Due to the nature of the previous manufacturing process, the project involved the safe handling of hazardous chemicals, contaminated process equipment and specialist waste streams, all of which required careful planning and strict environmental compliance.
The Solution
Weeks 1 & 3 – Site Survey & Waste Inventory
The project began with a detailed survey of the facility to identify all hazardous materials and redundant equipment remaining on site.
Working closely with the landlord and managing agents, we prepared a phased programme of works covering:
- Full site risk assessment
- Waste inventory and segregation plan
- Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS)
- Chemical identification and compatibility assessment
- Environmental protection measures
- Waste storage and transport arrangements
During the survey, we identified numerous hazardous waste streams, including acids, alkalis, etching solutions, plating chemicals, solvent-based cleaners, contaminated containers and process residues.
Weeks 4 & 7 – Chemical Removal
The first phase of operational work focused on safely removing all hazardous chemicals from the manufacturing areas.
Chemicals were inspected, identified and segregated according to compatibility before being transferred into approved UN-certified containers for transport. Hazardous waste removed included:
- Acids
- Alkalis
- Copper etching solutions
- Ferric chloride solutions
- Solvents
- Cleaning chemicals
- Laboratory reagents
- Waste paints
- Aerosols
- Contaminated absorbents
- Chemical sludge
All waste was transported by licensed hazardous waste carriers to authorised treatment and disposal facilities, with full hazardous waste documentation supplied to the client.
Weeks 8 & 11 – Process Equipment & Dipping Tank Decommissioning
Once all chemicals had been removed, we coordinated the decommissioning of the production equipment.
The project included the cleaning, neutralisation and dismantling of multiple chemical dipping tanks used during the PCB manufacturing process.
Each tank was:
- Fully drained
- Internally cleaned and decontaminated
- Tested to confirm safe working conditions
- Dismantled using controlled methods
- Removed from site for recycling or disposal
Additional works included the removal of:
- Chemical pipework
- Pumps
- Filtration systems
- Extraction ducting
- Storage vessels
- Mixing equipment
- Electrical control panels
- Redundant manufacturing machinery
Steel, stainless steel and other recyclable materials were segregated to maximise recycling wherever possible.
Weeks 12 & 13 – Final Site Clearance
With all hazardous materials and production equipment removed, the clearance of the remaining warehouse and storage areas was completed.
This included the removal of:
- Empty chemical drums
- Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs)
- Contaminated pallets
- Laboratory furniture
- General industrial waste
- Redundant shelving
- Electrical equipment
The building was thoroughly cleaned, leaving the internal areas clear and ready for refurbishment.
Week 14 – Project Completion
A final inspection was carried out with the landlord to confirm the building had been completely cleared. On completion, a comprehensive compliance pack including:
- Hazardous Waste Consignment Notes
- Waste Transfer Notes
- Disposal and Recycling Records
- Duty of Care Documentation
- Project Completion Report
The Result
Over the course of the 14-week project, we managed and coordinated the safe removal of approximately 85 tonnes of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, working with specialist waste partners to handle chemicals, manufacturing equipment and redundant process infrastructure safely and compliantly.
All chemical dipping tanks were successfully cleaned, decontaminated and dismantled before being removed from site. More than 92% of the recovered metals and equipment were recycled through authorised facilities, significantly reducing the volume of waste sent for disposal.
The project was completed safely, on schedule and without environmental incidents, allowing the landlord to hand over a clean, compliant and vacant building ready for refurbishment and new occupancy. The successful delivery of the works has since led to further instructions on commercial property clearance and industrial decommissioning projects.
weeks.
Project was completed safely and on schedule, allowing the landlord to hand over a clean and compliant and building.
tonnes of waste removed.
In partnership with chemicals, manufacturing equipment and redundant process infrastructure specialists.
metals & equipment recycled.
Recycled through authorised facilities, significantly reducing the volume of waste sent for disposal.
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