POLYECO SA

The project aimed to ensure the safe and environmentally sound management of abandoned hazardous chlorine cylinders by minimizing risks to human health and the environment, through on-site neutralization and subsequent removal.

The primary objective of the project was the immediate, safe, and permanent management of seven abandoned and severely corroded chlorine cylinders identified at the water reservoir facilities of the community of Nata, in Paphos District, thereby eliminating a significant risk to public health, facility personnel, and both the local and surrounding environment.

Due to the age and deteriorated condition of the cylinders, which rendered their safe transportation impossible, the project focused on implementing an innovative, fully controlled on-site neutralization solution. This approach eliminated the risk of toxic chlorine release and the formation of a hazardous chlorine gas cloud. At the same time, the initiative sought to ensure full compliance with the highest standards of environmental protection and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), while restoring the site to a condition that allowed it to be safely returned to the local community.

The initiative primarily served the local community of Nata, in  Paphos District, where the presence of abandoned and severely corroded chlorine cylinders at a water reservoir facility posed a direct threat to public health and environmental safety.

The project also directly benefited the facility employees and technical personnel, who had been exposed to a significant occupational risk due to the potential release of toxic chlorine gas.

In addition, the initiative was addressed to public authorities and the competent environmental and regulatory bodies, including the Paphos District Local Government Organization (PDLGO), which commissioned the project, as well as the relevant supervisory authorities—such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus, the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance of Cyprus, the Cyprus Fire Service, and other competent authorities—which reviewed, approved, and monitored the implementation of the project.

By carrying out the work in a safe and fully controlled manner, the project ensured regulatory compliance, protected both human health and the environment, and strengthened the confidence of local authorities in sustainable solutions for the management of hazardous waste.

The initiative was designed and implemented in 2025, including the stages of preparation, permitting, procurement and delivery of specialized equipment, execution of the neutralization process, as well as the transportation and recovery of hazardous waste. The on-site implementation of the project was successfully completed within four days.

The initiative involved the management of seven abandoned and severely corroded chlorine cylinders discovered at a water reservoir facility in the community of Nata, Paphos District, where they posed a significant risk to public health, workers, and the environment. As chlorine is a highly toxic gas, immediate and specialized intervention was required, since even a minor release could have resulted in the formation of a hazardous gas cloud with serious consequences for the surrounding area.

Due to the age and deteriorated condition of the cylinders, which made their safe transportation impossible, Polyeco designed and implemented an innovative on-site management solution, eliminating the need for the cross-border transport of an extremely hazardous load. The methodology was based on the safe puncturing of the cylinders followed by the chemical neutralization of the chlorine using a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution within a fully enclosed and controlled system. Throughout the operation, continuous gas monitoring and atmospheric measurements were carried out, while stringent Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) protocols were applied at every stage.

Preparation for the project lasted approximately 20 days and required the coordination of multiple organizations. As part of this process, a comprehensive assessment and documentation of the site conditions was conducted in collaboration with a specialized U.S.-based company. The company developed the final chlorine neutralization plan, supplied the required specialized equipment, and deployed technical experts who participated throughout the project implementation. In parallel, Polyeco prepared a detailed Safe Work Plan, which was approved by the competent authorities. Given the high-risk nature of the operation, the plan established rigorous safety requirements for every phase of the work. Specialized personal protective equipment (PPE), including Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and chemical protective suits, was also procured and deployed.

The field operations were completed within four days, with the support of an international technical specialist, dedicated high-safety equipment, and under the supervision and approval of the competent authorities. All waste generated during the operation was collected and transferred to licensed treatment facilities for final management.

The project's key innovation was the implementation of on-site neutralization of hazardous chlorine gas, rather than relying on the conventional approach of transporting unstable cylinders. This significantly reduced both environmental and operational risks while ensuring the complete remediation of the site and its safe return to the local community.

The initiative demonstrated Polyeco's capability to successfully manage complex, high-risk environmental incidents through specialized expertise, innovative engineering solutions, and responsible project execution, delivering an immediate solution with tangible environmental and social benefits.

The preparation phase of the project required the coordination of multiple involved companies. As part of this process, a comprehensive assessment and documentation of the existing conditions were carried out in collaboration with a specialized company based in the United States, which was responsible for defining the final chlorine neutralization plan, supplying and shipping the required specialized equipment, and providing technical personnel who participated throughout the entire implementation phase of the project.

Nata Community, Paphos, Cyprus – water reservoir facilities of the Paphos District Local Government Organization (PDLGO), where the abandoned chlorine cylinders were identified and safely managed. 

The initiative was completed with absolute success, eliminating a significant environmental and operational risk for the local community, facility employees, and public authorities in the area.

Specifically, seven abandoned chlorine cylinders, each weighing approximately 70 kg, were safely managed, with zero chlorine leakage recorded throughout the entire operation. The absence of any release represented a critical success indicator, considering the highly hazardous nature of the material and the deteriorated condition of the cylinders.

Through the safe management of the cylinders, 3,710 kg of liquid waste were collected and handled in a fully controlled manner and transferred to appropriately licensed treatment facilities for final management.

In addition, 450 kg of metal residues were recovered and recycled, supporting the implementation of circular economy principles.

The project resulted in the complete remediation of the site without any environmental impact, restoring a safe and functional area for the local community and the Paphos District Local Government Organization (DLGO). At the same time, it enhanced the sense of safety among residents and employees, as a hidden yet extremely serious public health hazard was permanently eliminated.

Connection with Global Goals

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: The safe removal of the abandoned chlorine cylinders eliminated a significant risk to public health and the safety of workers and the local community.

Additional SDG alignments:

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: The safe management of hazardous waste prevented potential contamination of water resources and soil.
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: The environmentally sound management of hazardous waste, together with the recovery of 450 kg of metal residues, promoted resource efficiency and supported the principles of the circular economy.
SDG 13 – Climate Action: Preventing environmental pollution through the safe management of hazardous materials strengthened environmental resilience and contributed to the sustainable management of natural resources.
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The application of specialized and innovative techniques for the safe management of hazardous materials enhanced the resilience of critical infrastructure.

The successful completion of the project significantly strengthened Polyeco’s position as a specialized hazardous waste management provider, capable of undertaking highly complex environmental operations and effectively responding to challenging and high-risk incidents.

The implementation of the innovative on-site chlorine neutralization solution demonstrated the company’s technical competence, advanced expertise, and operational readiness, further enhancing its credibility in both the Greek and international markets. The collaboration with an international technical specialist and the successful execution of the project without any leakage incidents or environmental impact provided strong evidence of the highest standards of safety and operational effectiveness.

At the same time, the project significantly reduced the operational and regulatory risks for the contracting authority, as it eliminated the need for cross-border transportation of an extremely hazardous material, thereby minimizing potential risks related to accidents, delays, and regulatory complications.

The project also served as a benchmark solution for the management of similar cases in the future, establishing an applicable model for the safe, sustainable, and technically robust handling of abandoned hazardous chemicals, with clear environmental and social value.