Waste management during LS3

 

 

CERN's environmental objectives

This page only covers conventional waste and excludes radioactive waste, which is managed by HSE-RP-RMW (hse.cern/content/radioactive-waste-management)

As part of its environment and sustainability strategy, CERN has set environmental targets for 2030 (see to Environment Town Hall, Nov. 2024), including specific objectives related to waste management :

  • Maintain a recovery rate of non-hazardous waste above 70%

  • Increase total reuse by 10% (in weight) compared to 2022

  • Reduce campus household waste per person on site by 5% (by weight) compared to 2022

Long shutdown periods typically generate larger volumes of waste and increase the risk of non-conformities in waste management, with significant safety, environmental, and financial consequences.

To remain on track to achieve its 2030 targets, CERN is committed to maintaining a non-hazardous waste recovery rate above 70% through the implementation of dedicated waste management plans (WMP).

Implementation measures include :

  • Establishing appropriate waste sorting areas and ensuring strict monitoring of sorting practices, with the following objectives :

    • Zero downgrading of skips at external sorting centres. Sorting centres downgrade skips when the contents do not comply with the declared waste category, which results in multiple financial penalties and a potential loss of recyclability of the materials.

    • Zero re-sorting at the CERN site: all waste containers will be visually inspected and must be re-sorted by the responsible team if a significant proportion of recyclable materials is detected — if the responsible team does not carry out this re-sorting, it may be requested from the CERN contractor, in which case the total sorting costs will be invoiced to the responsible organic unit.

Waste Management Plan

A waste management plan (WMP) is a structured document that outlines how any waste generated during a project will be handled responsibly and in compliance with regulations.

A WMP typically includes:

  • Types and quantities of waste expected (e.g., metals, inert, scrap wood...)

  • Methods of collection, sorting, storage location, and disposal

  • Reduction, reuse, and recycling strategies

  • Roles and responsibilities for waste handling

  • Monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track performance

The goal of a WMP is to:

  • Minimise the amount of waste generated.

  • Maximise recovery (reuse, recycling).

  • Ensure safe and compliant disposal.

  • Reduce environmental impact and associated costs

In general, a WMP is mandatory for any worksite involving hazardous substances or generating more than 200 m³ of waste (hazardous and/or not hazardous). It must be submitted with the permit application and duly updated as necessary before work begins.

However, during LS3, all Works and Services Supervisors and/or Project Manager are expected to take responsibility for organising waste management on their worksites by preparing a WMP, even when the estimated waste volume is below 200 m³ (highly recommended). This WMP will help them anticipate their operational needs (such as containers, volumes, location, and sorting procedures) and ensure that waste is managed in line with the Organization’s objectives and regulatory requirements.

How is a WMP created ?

Works and Services Supervisors (WSS) and/or Project Managers (PM) must prepare WMPs well in advance of the start of activities.

Here are the 5 steps for creating a WMP : 

Before

 

1
DEFINE ✏️📝

Define the types of waste to be produced and estimate quantities.

If possible, identify waste that can be reused directly on site.

Define roles & responsibilities related to waste management.

2
IDENTIFY & ORDER 🗓️📝

Identify a suitable location for the containers.

Order the containers needed for activities (container volumes and pictograms must be consistent according to waste type).

During

 

3
COMMUNICATE 📢

The WSS and/or PM has to communicate (or ensure that the communication is done) to the supervised entities the waste sorting area and remind them of the need to comply with sorting rules (part of the Safety rules to which everyone is subject).

4
CHECK 📋

Ensure regular checks to ensure that all containers are properly marked with : pictograms and visible signs.

Identify and resolve non-conformities.

After

 

5
KEEP TRACK 📝

Follow up non-conformities until complete resolution.

Track waste removals via waste tracking slips.

Ensure that all containers are removed at the end of the works.

⚠️ If you use the framework agreement for waste containers and their transport, you do not need to carry out this monitoring; it is the responsibility of the Waste Management Team overseeing the framework agreement with Transvoirie.

Do not hesitate to contact the
Waste Management Service for advice at any time by e-mail
cern.dechets@cern.ch
–
We can visit your premises to help you identify the containers you need.

🗒️Templates 

Examples

Example of a table containing the appropriate waste information

Example of waste location map

Rules & Best practices

Here are a few rules and best practices to implement and disseminate :

✅ Rules

  • Change or remove the container when the skip reaches 75% of its capacity.

  • Choose a suitable and authorised location for the containers. (Standard: EDMS 3268375 – to be validated soon)

  • Respect the rules associated with the management of chemical products. For more details, training, and procedures, see: hse.cern/safety-risks/chemicals.

  • If the material is perishable (cardboard, electronics, computers, etc.), the skip must be covered.

  • Adapt containers to the activity and clearly define their locations.

  • Define and specify clear contractual penalties in tender documents and ensure their enforcement.

🚫 Prohibitions

  • Inappropriate ground deposit and non-compliance with sorting rules are strictly forbidden. Ensure this is clearly communicated to your teams (both internal and external).

💡 Best Practices

  • Make clear labels indicating:

    • The type of waste.

    • The team for whom the use is reserved (ask the Waste Management team or print and plastic-wrap).

  • Ensure proactive, regular, and clear communication with all stakeholders.

  • Contact the Waste Management team (cern.dechets@cern.ch) for assistance in identifying materials that can be recycled internally or externally — or for any other waste-related topic.

Resources

🌐 Useful Links

📄Summary Brochure (Condensed rules by type of waste at CERN)

 

 

 

 

📧Contacts