Towards Circularity in Nuclear Decommissionin: Evaluating the Recycling Potential of Building Materi

The European policy framework, including the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Circular Economy Act, the Waste Framework Directive, and the Landfill Directive, sets ambitious targets for recycling and landfill reduction.

Currently, it is common practice to recycle metals from nuclear installations through specific clearance procedures. These involve adapted clearance levels aligned with the recycling process and the intended end use of the materials. However, for the bulk of building materials, which represent the largest waste stream resulting from the decommissioning, refurbishment, and adaptation of licensed nuclear installations, such tailored recycling practices are not yet specifically implemented. At present, these materials are primarily managed through landfill disposal.

A feasibility study on recycling nuclear building materials will require a multi-criteria assessment approach. In addition to sustainable waste management and the application of the precautionary principle, factors such as: regulatory and policy context, worker and public safety (radiation protection), technical and engineering feasibility,  economic viability, social and public acceptance and lifecycle and system integration, should be considered.

This study will focus on the regulatory and policy context, radiation protection for workers and the public, and technical/engineering feasibility. While the economic feasibility will also be considered, this aspect will be addressed at a high level to provide general insights, rather than through a detailed analysis. Aspects such as social and public acceptance fall outside the scope of this thesis.