A trial processed 12 tonnes of cables which were stripped of their contaminated plastic coating to be cut and packaged into drums for safe treatment using high temperature incineration.
Once the plastic was removed, the remaining four tonnes of exposed copper cores were tested for radioactivity and found to be safe. Veolia now plans to deploy the process in several of its decommissioning programmes.
The waste management company said that the method reduces the treatment time and cost while preserving the value of the copper for future recycling. It added that it represents a significant carbon saving as recycling copper saves around 85% of the emissions associated with virgin ore extraction.
Veolia’s estimates have shown that copper cables – from standard thin gauge to heavy duty electrical cables – will make up hundreds of tonnes of waste during the planned decommissioning across various projects.
Nicola Henshaw, managing director of hazardous waste at Veolia UK, said: “Utilising our expertise in decontamination, depollution and hazardous waste, part of our global GreenUp strategy, we’ve helped the nuclear industry significantly reduce its waste and salvage valuable materials.
“As more end of life nuclear facilities are decommissioned this new process represents a new way of capturing valuable resources from this industry. With pressure on the earth’s copper reserves, more demand from industry, and the need to reduce carbon emissions, this latest innovation marks an advance towards a circular economy.”
Veolia’s decommissioning programmes
In September, Veolia assisted Imperial College in the dismantling of a civil nuclear reactor through its KDC Veolia Decommissioning Services UK (KDVC).
This included cutting operations to reduce the reactor concrete shielding, removal and demolition of the facility.
In October, Babcock International Group awarded KDVC a contract to decommission a nuclear-powered submarine, Swiftsure, in Rosyth.
The project is set to conclude in 2026 ahead of a wider programme to dismantle all decommissioned Royal Navy submarines.
John Abraham, Veolia COO of industrial, water and energy for UK, Ireland and Nordics, said at the time: “Working with the Ministry of Defence and Babcock on this unique and complex project will mark a new sustainable way of decommissioning and recycling this type of vessel. By using Veolia’s global skills, we will deliver this world-first project as part of our GreenUp strategic programme designed to depollute, decarbonise and preserve resources.”
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