Article

Dismantling of nuclear facilities, radioactive waste and materials management, circular economy and sustainable development

¹ CEPN, 28 rue de la Redoute, 92 260 Fontenay aux Roses, France
² Andra, 1 rue Jean Monnet, 92298 Chatenay-Malabry Cedex, France
³ Cyclife Sweden AB, Box 610, SE-611 10 Nyköping, Sweden
⁴ Tractebel Engineering S.A., Boulevard Simon Bolivar 36, B1000 Brussels, Belgium
⁵ SOGIN, Via Marsala, 51C-00185, Roma, Italy
⁶ ÚJV Řež, a. s., Hlavní 130, 250 68 Husinec, Czech Republic
⁷ Galson Sciences Ltd, 5 Grosvenor House, Melton Road, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AX, UK

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received: 28 July 2025
Accepted: 9 September 2025

Abstract

Decommissioning of nuclear facilities and sites’ clean-up can lead to the production of significant amount of radioactive waste and materials: steel, concrete, soils, etc. Traditionally, these activities have been managed according to radiation protection criteria, such as clearance levels based on a 10 µSv.year-1 criterion. However, the volumes of waste and materials involved are leading many countries to question their strategy, considering for instance the risk of saturation of radioactive waste storage buildings and repositories, or even the absence of storage facilities. Production of large volumes of waste may also be considered in contradiction to the principles of the circular economy promoted by the European Union, sustainable development objectives and even the views of some stakeholders. As part of the HARPERS project, funded by the European Commission, several case studies on the implementation of good practice for the management of radioactive waste and materials have been investigated to identify useful lessons from a circular economy perspective, both in terms of standards and regulations and operational aspects. This article highlights some of the main findings.