Waste Management Service
The Waste Management Service is responsible for the collection, transport and treatment of the conventional waste (all types of waste excluding radioactive waste). Its strategy is designed to ensure effective waste management that prioritises the safety of both individuals and the environment.
Did you know that conventional non-hazardous waste represents 70% of CERN’s total waste? Recycling is central to CERN’s waste reduction strategy and the Laboratory remains committed to continuously improving its recycling rate: for reference, 71% of conventional waste was recycled in 2024 compared with 56% in 2018.
As part of its activities, the Waste Management Service implements a range of actions and measures to help achieve the Organization’s 2030 objectives:
· Maintaining the recovery rate of conventional waste above 70% by weight
· Increasing the overall reuse rate by 10% by weight compared to 2022
· Reducing campus ‘household waste’ per person on site by 5% by weight compared to 2022.
Link to the Environmental Report 2023 & 2024 | Waste domain
Waste at CERN
A recycling solution exists for (almost) all CERN waste. Recycling preserves natural resources and generates significant energy and financial savings. However, for our waste to be recycled, it must first be correctly sorted.
To support this, CERN has implemented a comprehensive Waste Management System, providing users with a range of services, infrastructure and resources tailored to their activities. Its aim is to reduce and minimise waste production while maximising material recovery.
Anyone who produces or possesses waste is responsible for it until it is either disposed of or repurposed — even when the waste is transferred to a third party for treatment.
All waste collected on CERN sites is transported to the appropriate treatment centre. Upon arrival, the waste is weighed, its category is verified, and a receipt is issued to ensure complete traceability. For more information on final recycling and repurposing, click here.
Do you want to dispose of waste? Check the ‘What goes where?’ link below