Management of radioactive waste from decommissioning

During decommissioning, radioactive materials and objects contaminated with radioactivity — from protective clothing to parts of a reactor — are characterized and sorted to ensure waste prevention and waste minimization, reuse and recycling. 

Radioactive materials and objects are subject to regulatory control. However, most of the material resulting from decommissioning is cleared from regulatory control, owing to its very low level of radioactivity. 

Radioactive materials not suitable for recycling are sorted and packaged for temporary storage before disposal in purpose-built facilities — the final step in the management of radioactive waste. 

See Infographic: Management of radioactive waste from decommissioning