Who are they?
Portals has been supplying the global security industry with high security cylinder mould watermarked papers for more than 300 years. They demonstrate a strong commitment to support their local communities and protect the environment.
What were their challenges?
Portals operated a 16-acre site in Overton, Hampshire which manufactured paper since 1922. The site had been earmarked for closure due to changing market conditions, and therefore a safe and compliant decommissioning was required.
Decommissioning a site on this scale requires a multitude of services and careful project management. Portals were eager to complete the job safely, given their strong ties to the community having operated in the area for over 300 years. The site’s location close to the headwaters of the River Test is an added complication. This is one of the UK’s most valuable chalk streams and an internationally recognised environmental asset.
CSG was proud to be approached by Portals to manage the decommissioning, given the high importance and prestige of the task.
The job entailed:
- Hazardous waste removal
- Industrial tank cleaning
- Decommissioning the site’s effluent treatment plant (ETP)
- Laboratory smalls removal
- Recycling fridge and freezers
- Jetting down and cleansed the site once the above was completed
How did CSG make a difference for Portals?
This is one of the more challenging site decommissioning projects we have faced. But at CSG a challenge is what motivates us. The project spanned six months and drew upon many of CSG’s waste removal and industrial cleaning services, alongside our expert project management.
In total we removed over 2100 tonnes of waste over 6 months. This is the equivalent weight of 350 elephants!
The project manager supplied a weekly progress report along with details of planned works for the following week. We also reported monthly on the type and quantity of waste leaving the site.
1. All hazardous waste removed safely
All hazardous waste was to be safely removed from the site. To achieve this we provided a chemist, operative and project manager who all worked to label and pack the waste safely for transport. The waste was then directed to our treatment and transfer stations, where it was handled safely and compliantly in accordance with the waste hierarchy. This meant prioritising recycling and recovery over landfill or incineration wherever possible.
We also hired a forklift and our forklift trained operative aided the chemist and project manager in preparing the loads.
Our specialist team of laboratory waste chemist was also enlisted to deal with the lab smalls.
All hazardous waste was safely removed from the site with no environmental contamination.
2. All storage tanks cleaned and decommissioned
The site contained 16 storage tanks containing a variety of chemicals. They all needed to be cleaned and safely decommissioned.
Our confined space cleaning specialists were able to complete this work safely. They were fully equipped with all the necessary tools, PPE/RPE, gas monitoring and emergency rescue equipment.
The contents of some tanks had fully solidified and therefore required careful demolition. Sampling of the tank contents showed they were inert, so it was sent to our aggregate partners for further processing. The tanks were demolished, with all rubble removed and metal recycled.
3. Effluent treatment plant decommissioned and cleaned
The site also operated its own effluent treatment plant. This required special attention as it was the only cotton based ETP in the whole of the UK and the procedure to decommission it was exceptionally sensitive due to its proximity to the River Test. The plant contained over 1600 tonnes of non-hazardous effluent, all of which needed to be removed!
Eight articulated tanker loads were removed every week over a two-month period.
Specialist DISAB units were deployed to deal with some of the tougher sludges.
Once the effluent was removed confined space cleaning specialists ensured these 200,000 litre concrete tanks were cleaned and decommissioned.
Testimonial
Here’s what Portal’s Technical Manager Glyn Harburn Jones had to say:
“I am pleased to provide a testimonial for the exceptional work carried out by Sharon Thomas and her team at CSG. Their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to environmental responsibility have made a significant impact on our operations and our local community.
From the moment we engaged with CSG, it was evident that they take their role in waste management seriously. Their team demonstrated a thorough understanding of our specific needs and swiftly developed a tailored waste management solution that exceeded our expectations.
The efficiency and reliability with which they execute their services are truly commendable. Whether it’s decontamination, waste collection, recycling, or hazardous materials disposal, they consistently delivered with the utmost care for safety and compliance.
One of the most impressive aspects of CSG’s service is their commitment to protect the environment. Our geographical position is next to the River Test, the number one chalk river in the whole world. Their approach to protecting the environment whilst engaging in our decommissioning programme contributed to a successful conclusion.
What truly sets Sharon and the team apart, however, is their exceptional customer service. The team was always accessible, responsive, and willing to go the extra mile to accommodate our needs. Their open communication and transparency in reporting made it easy to track progress and make informed decisions.
In summary, Sharon and CSG were an invaluable partner in our journey to decommission the site. Their dedication to excellence, their environmental stewardship, and their outstanding customer service made them an indispensable asset to our organisation. We wholeheartedly recommend CSG to anyone seeking a waste management partner who delivers on their promises and cares deeply. They are a good example of what a waste contractor should be.”
Glyn Harburn Jones
Technical Manager, Portals International Limited
