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Parts cleaning plays a vital role in maintaining production equipment and product quality. But behind the scenes, it can also be a sustainability risk, from excessive chemical use to poor industrial waste management.
Rethinking your maintenance waste management plan isn’t just good for the planet, it’s a smart move for your bottom line. By reducing waste at the source and working with the right partners, businesses can unlock operational savings, reduce environmental risk, and ensure regulatory compliance.
In many facilities, parts cleaning is still performed manually using solvents, rags and wipes, and disposable items like blue roll. While this seems simple, it’s often inefficient and wasteful.
Common sources of resource waste include:
Improper waste management carries significant risks:
On the flip side, a proactive waste management plan can help reduce your environmental impact and protect your business. Partnering with experienced providers means hazardous waste is removed safely, handled responsibly, and treated with the best available technology — with Safetykleen that includes recycling and energy recovery.
Reducing waste begins with rethinking your cleaning process. Here are three practical steps:
Automated parts washers use precise amounts of chemistry, eliminate reliance on single-use materials, and reduce rework. The result is less waste, lower cost, and more consistent cleaning performance.
Modern machines can extend the life of your cleaning solution by removing contaminants on the go. That means fewer chemical changes and less waste.
Cleaning chemistry lasts longer and performs better when cleaning systems are used and maintained correctly. This simple step is often overlooked, which is why Safetykleen provides free training and continued support.
Even with the best equipment, waste generation is unavoidable. But what you do next makes all the difference.
In 2024 alone, we collected 50,000 drums of waste and over 24 million litres of oil, diverting it from landfill and reducing environmental impact.
We provide 4.6 million litres of thinners annually — and recycle around 70% through our own refinery, Orm Bergold Chemie. Studies have shown that solvent recycling is 70% less carbon-intensive than producing new solvents.1
The legal requirements around any waste management plan are stringent and change often. For manufacturers and maintenance teams, staying up to date can be a burden.
With Safetykleen, customers experience a hassle-free, all-in-one service — from collection to compliance. Our Kleenwaste service, active across the UK, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain, manages a wide range of waste types, including aerosols, oils, and toxic substances.
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