What Do We Do with Tear Out Waste?

In manufacturing facilities, tear out waste is the remainder of material after industrial robots and manufacturing equipment have been removed. 

Waste is a reality of manufacturing, but with proper care and methodology, we can reduce the amount of waste that goes to the landfill and repurpose it for future projects. 

What is tear out waste? 

Tear out waste is any material that is not part of the company’s valuable equipment or resources. 

Waste can be anything from scraps of manufacturing material to profitable materials like copper, or even remnants from lunch break. It’s important to identify waste production to prevent future debris and to save money and materials. Perhaps it is even more important to identify how to correctly manage waste so that resources are used and energy is saved. 

Defining the end-state 

One of the most important parts of decommissioning a project is defining the end-state. The end-state is the goal of the project: a broom-ready facility prepared to take on a new project. Defining the actions that need to happen to get to the end-state will outline our strategy for completing a tear out. 

The end-state is also necessary for considering how we deal with tear out waste. In order to achieve a broom-ready facility, we will need to manage waste in a way that is both efficient and environmentally responsible. 

What do we do with tear out waste? 

Clean material (that is, non-hazardous solid waste) is available for disposal, recycling, or refurbishment. The amount of waste created depends on the type of company and the size of the project. 

When the tear out portion of the decommissioning project is complete, we will break up the waste into three groups: waste to be sent to disposal, waste that can be recycled, and parts that can be refurbished. 

IF IT’S UNSALVAGEABLE, WE DISPOSE OF IT. 

Any material that cannot be recycled or restored will be disposed of. We use trash gondolas to organize and transport materials to construction size dumpsters that will be relocated to a landfill. 

The goal is to reduce the amount of waste that goes to a landfill. In order to do this, we determine what materials can be salvaged and where to send them next. 

IF IT CAN BE REPURPOSED, WE SENT IT TO A RECYCLING CENTER. 

Waste that can be recycled will be sent to the nearest recycling center for repurposing. Some examples of materials that can be recycled include batteries, transformers, large containers, and oil filters. 

There are a few different methods of recycling, and they all make use of materials and gases to create new products or energy: waste can be melted into a homogenous substance and reused, broken down in recyclable parts, or heated to create thermal energy. There are even more methods to recycle depending on the type of waste and the new technologies that become available to recycling centers. 

Recycling is the second-best option for managing waste. Read our next point to find out the best option for managing tear out waste! 

WASTE THAT CAN BE RESTORED WILL BE SOLD TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT REFURBISH WASTE MATERIALS. 

Materials that contain valuables like copper, aluminum, and steel will be sold to an organization that provides the best value. Once a deal is made, the buyer will restore the materials into new equipment for future projects. 

Refurbishing materials is the most environmentally friendly option for managing waste after a tear out. It takes less energy than recycling to reuse materials and it keeps garbage out of landfills. 

There’s more to decommissioning after the equipment is removed. 

Once NRTC Automation completes the tear out portion of the decommissioning project, the next step is to manage the waste from the project. We create a detailed plan for every step of the decommissioning project to ensure that the facility is broom-ready for another project. Once we have delineated waste into the categories above, we distribute the materials to the landfill, a recycling center, or to an organization that will refurbish the waste. 

After the waste is managed, then we can prepare the facility for the next project by creating a smooth surface and performing a walkthrough with a dedicated project manager. 

DO YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO DECOMMISSION YOUR FACTORY? 

NRTC Automation is renowned for our decommissioning and tear out services. We provide tear outs for all industries in factories and manufacturing facilities around the world. With our dedication to complete the project on your time requirements, our strategic planning process, and our team’s commitment to your project, it’s no wonder that we are trusted by the world’s top automobile manufacturers. 

Contact NRTC Automation today to discuss how we will decommission your factory according to your standards.