Recycling and Reuse of Materials Arising from the Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities
Large quantities of materials arising from the decommissioning of nuclear facilities
are non-radioactive per se. An additional significant share of materials is of very
low-level or low-level radioactivity and can, after having undergone treatment and
a clearance process, be recycled and reused in a restricted or unrestricted way. Recycle
and reuse options today provide valuable solutions to minimise radioactive waste from
decommissioning and at the same time maximise the recovery of valuable materials.
The NEA Co-operative Programme on Decommissioning (CPD) prepared this overview on
the various approaches being undertaken by international and national organisations
for the management of slightly contaminated material resulting from activities in
the nuclear sector. The report draws on CPD member organisations’ experiences and
practices related to recycling and reuse, which were gathered through an international
survey. It provides information on improvements and changes in technologies, methodologies
and regulations since the 1996 report on this subject, with the conclusions and recommendations
taking into account 20 years of additional experience that will be useful for current
and future practitioners. Case studies are provided to illustrate significant points
of interest, for example in relation to scrap metals, concrete and soil.
Published on August 22, 2017
In series:Radioactive Waste Managementview more titles