Excellence in Galvanizing
Scottish Galvanizers has played an important part in ambitious plans aiming to boost recycling and slash the amount of waste sent to landfill.
The Glasgow plant galvanized 270 tonnes of steel used to create a major new recycling plant on the outskirts of Falkirk.
The steel was used by engineering specialists Brian Hewitt Construction as the structural steelwork on a new Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facility, which is expected to process up to 200,000 tonnes of commercial and household waste a year when fully up and running.
Built on the Avondale Landfill site just off Junction 4 of the M9 motorway at Grangemouth, and set to be operated by waste management specialists Avondale Environmental Limited, the plant will incorporate a high-tech, water-based Mechanical Biological Treatment system. Materials such as bottles, metals and glass will be separated out for recycling, whilst the remaining biodegradable waste will be given a biological treatment to turn it into methane-rich compost. This will either be used as topsoil for the landfill site, or processed through Anaerobic Digestion to generate renewable energy.
Paul Tait, Commercial Manager for Scottish Galvanizers, commented: “Rubbish can sometimes take more than ten years to decompose when it is sent to landfill, but by using Mechanical Biological Treatment, the process can take as little as 18 days.
“Wedge Group as a company is very aware of its environmental responsibilities, and we take great pride in our ongoing efforts to promote recycling and reuse in our day-to-day operations, so we are always keen to be involved in projects such as this. The plant will not only help to boost recycling and reduce Scotland’s dependence on landfill, but it is also anticipated it will create up to 40 jobs when fully operational by the end of the year.”
“This has been a significant project for us to be involved with, and the galvanizing of the structural steel ensures the plant is offered a long-lasting protection against rust and corrosion,” Bryan Cathcart, General Manager for South Lanarkshire-based Brian Hewitt Construction, explained. “The team at Scottish Galvanizers provided a first-class service and swift turnaround, enabling us to complete our work in a timely manner.”