Home > LLW Strategy > Waste Hierarchy > Management Options

Management Options

Introduction

We have already discussed the importance of a structured approach to waste minimisation perhaps utilising existing tools and techniques already embedded within your organisation.
The identification of practical opportunities to prevent and minimise waste generation and the application of the waste hierarchy is an element in this approach. These have been termed waste hierarchy management options for the purpose of this guidance.
The diagram below presents the Waste Hierarchy management options and essential precursors to the successful implementation of these options. 

 

Characterisation

Characterisation is defined by the IAEA as the ‘determination of the physical chemical and radiological properties of the waste to establish the need for further adjustment, treatment or conditioning, or its suitability for further handling, storage or disposal’.

Characterisation of radioactive waste is central to effective radioactive waste management and application of the waste management hierarchy. Understanding the properties of a waste stream will enable correct waste management hierarchy choices to be made. Such activities should be completed at an early stage to support optioneering. Care should also be taken to avoid unnecessary over characterisation.
The following guidance is available on characterisation:

Pre-treatment

 Pre-treatment describes any or all operations prior to waste treatment, such as collection, segregation, chemical adjustment, and decontamination.

Segregation is an activity where types of waste or materials (radioactive or exempt) are separated on the basis of radiological, chemical and / or physical properties to facilitate waste handling and / or processing
Joint guidance on segregation has been provided by the HSE, EA and SEPA:
Successful LLW management is dependant on segregation and sites should consider the facilities they have available to carry out such activities.
Decontamination is the complete or partial removal of contamination by a deliberate physical, chemical or biological process. The following guidance is available:
It is the EARWG database that perhaps provides the most comprehensive compilation of pre-treatment techniques:

Treatment

Treatment Operations benefit safety and/or economy by changing the characteristics of the waste. Three basic treatment objectives are available:
  • Volume reduction;
  • Removal of radionuclide from the waste;
  • Change of composition.
 
It is in this context that the waste management hierarchy can be discussed
The following guidance is available:
 
The EARWG has also established a webpage to identify and share good practices in re-use and recycling solid radioactive waste consistently across the nuclear industry.