When I talk to organisations about industrial cleaning, one theme comes up again and again: the pressure to maintain safe working environments without disrupting operations.
It’s exactly why projects like Aberdeenshire Council’s Macduff Waste Shed matter, they show what’s possible when planning, communication, and specialist equipment all come together.
At NEREC, we carry out complex deep cleans across a range of industrial facilities, but this project pushed us to demonstrate the very best of our team’s capability. The Macduff site is a vital recycling hub, handling diverse waste streams and operating to tight schedules. The Council required a full interior deep clean: walls, floors, ceilings, and steelwork all completed within a planned shutdown window. That meant no delays, no overruns, and zero impact on public services.
Working in waste environments is never straightforward. Residues, odours, and contamination demand robust systems and strict hygiene protocols. Added to that were the structural access challenges: high ceilings, exposed steelwork, and extensive roof trusses that all needed safe and efficient attention. When residual waste hadn’t been cleared at the start time, we had to adapt instantly, prioritising accessible areas to keep the project on track.
This is where strong planning and capability make the difference. Our team deployed two pressure-washing units to maximise coverage, industrial scrubbers for ingrained floor contamination, and cherry pickers to safely reach the upper structure. The combination of hot-water pressure washing followed by a food-safe degreaser ensured the site wasn’t just visibly clean, it was genuinely sanitised for staff returning on Monday morning.
For me, the biggest takeaway was the value of collaborative preparation. Clear expectations around site readiness make every project smoother, safer, and more efficient. It’s something we’ve reinforced further in our processes going forward.
The Macduff Waste Shed is a perfect example of what industrial cleaning should achieve: no disruption, complete restoration, and improved safety for everyone working there. If your facility requires deep cleaning, whether waste management, manufacturing, or industrial operations, I’d be glad to discuss how we can support you.
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If you’d like to learn more about our industrial cleaning services, please get in touch at ross@nerec.co.uk and visit our website for more case studies.