Steam Generators: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - The Three Rs of Radioactive Waste

The CNSC supports the internationally adopted and environmentally friendly principles of good waste management practices in the nuclear industry to reduce the volume of radioactive waste requiring storage.

These principles of reduce, reuse and recycle assure that the management of radioactive waste in Canada meets the highest standards for health, safety, security and environmental protection. The CNSC monitors and inspects nuclear waste sites and waste management facilities to ensure compliance with nuclear safety regulations.

In line with IAEA waste minimization practices, CNSC Regulatory Policy P-290, Managing Radioactive Waste (PDF), recommends that radioactive waste be reduced to the extent practicable by way of design measures, operating procedures and decommissioning practices. In addition, CNSC Regulatory Guide, G-219, Decommissioning Planning for Licensed Activities (PDF) states that waste management plans should include specific plans for the reuse, recycling, storage or disposal of that waste. To achieve these goals, licensees are expected to investigate and implement new technologies and techniques as they become available.

As well, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard on the Decommissioning of Facilities Containing Nuclear Substances states that strategies for waste management must consider and prioritize the recycling or reuse of equipment and materials to reduce the volume of radioactive waste.

Radioactive waste minimization is also a key principle in the CSA standard Management of Low- and Intermediate-level Radioactive Waste which specifically refers to the development of a waste management program to reduce the overall volume of radioactive waste requiring long-term management.

That is why the CNSC stands by the recent decision to license the transport of the Bruce Power steam generators to Sweden for recycling. This will recycle the clean steel shell and reduce the volume of waste by 90%. This is good for the environment and good waste management practice. It is the right thing to do.

Related links:

• CNSC fact sheet: Regulating Radioactive Waste from Nuclear Power Plants in Canada (PDF)
• Canada’s 3rd National Report for the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management
• Government of Canada’s policy on radioactive waste management: Radioactive Waste Policy Framework (source: NRCan’s Web site)
• IAEA publications that include waste minimization principles and practices:
  • The Principles of Radioactive Waste Management (PDF)
  • Predisposal Management of Radioactive Waste (PDF)
  • Decommissioning of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities Safety Guide (PDF)
• The Canadian Standards Association Web site