Les déchets radioactifs en France

Commissariat général au développement durableMay 29, 2019

Certaines activités économiques utilisent les propriétés de la radioactivité et produisent des déchets radioactifs. Ces déchets contiennent des substances qui émettent des rayonnements dangereux pour l’homme et l’environnement. Ils doivent donc être gérés de manière spécifique afin de ne pas exposer l’homme ou les milieux naturels à ces risques. Ils sont gérés selon leur niveau d’activité et leur durée de vie. Fin 2016, le volume des déchets radioactifs présents en France s’élevait à 1,5 million de m3. Ce volume a augmenté de 58 % entre 2002 et 2016. Les déchets de haute activité (HA) représentent 0,2 % des volumes mais 95 % de la radioactivité. Ces derniers ont été multipliés par 2,2 sur la période 2002-2016. Le secteur de l’industrie électronucléaire est le principal producteur de déchets radioactifs. Alors que les déchets de très faible activité (TFA) ainsi que les déchets de faible et moyenne activité à vie courte (FMA-VC) sont stockés pendant la durée nécessaire à leur décroissance radioactive, les déchets HA, de moyenne activité à vie longue (MA-VL) et de faible activité à vie longue (FA-VL) sont entreposés dans l’attente de centres de stockage adaptés.

Certain economic activities use the properties of radioactivity and produce radioactive waste. This waste contains substances that emit radiation dangerous to humans and the environment. It must therefore be managed specifically to avoid exposing humans or natural environments to these risks. It is managed according to its activity level and lifespan. By end 2016, the volume of radioactive waste in France was 1.5 million m³. This volume increased by 58% between 2002 and 2016. High-activity waste (HA) represents 0.2% of volumes but 95% of radioactivity. These volumes increased 2.2-fold between 2002 and 2016. The nuclear power industry sector is the main producer of radioactive waste. While very low-activity waste (TFA) and low- and medium-activity short-life waste (FMA-VC) are stored for the duration required for radioactive decay, HA, medium-activity long-life (MA-VL) and low-activity long-life (FA-VL) waste are stored pending appropriate storage facilities.

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Quantities Produced
Sectoral Origins
In France, 59% of radioactive waste comes from the nuclear power industry and 28% from research activities (notably the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique).
Other Producer Sectors
Other sectors also produce this waste, including defence (9% of waste volume), industry (sterilization of medical equipment and food, material quality control through the use of sources) representing 3.6% of waste, and the medical sector (scintigraphy, radiotherapy) producing less than 1% of total radioactive waste volume.
Quantities Stored
TFA and FMA-VC Waste
Radioactive waste TFA and FMA-VC represent 91% of radioactive waste volumes (1.4 million m³), but less than 0.1% of radioactivity. They are mainly stored in surface storage facilities (located in the Aube and Manche departments) for the duration required for radioactive decay.
HA, MA-VL and FMA-VL Waste Stored
Radioactive waste HA (high activity), MA-VL and FMA-VL are stored at production sites, pending the decision to build a geological storage facility (Cigéo for MA-VL and HA waste). In 2016, they represented a volume of 139,200 m³, or 9% of the radioactive waste volume present in the country. High-activity waste represents 0.2% of volumes (3,648 m³) but 94.8% of total radioactivity level of waste.
2002–2016 Trend
• Radioactive waste volume increased by 58% between 2002 and 2016. While medium-activity long-life waste volume changed little, very low-activity waste volume increased 4.5-fold and high-activity waste increased 2.2-fold. Low-activity long-life waste volume also doubled over this period. • Note: HA and MA-VL waste include foreign waste pending shipment. 1.8% of HA and 2.7% of MA-VL present in the country are of foreign origin. 2020 and 2030 projections (SR2 scenario: nuclear fleet renewal with EPRs and Fast Breeder Reactors) established end 2013. • The increase between 2004 and 2007 in low-activity long-life waste volumes resulted from changes in conditioning methods that increased volumes and reclassification of certain waste. • The decrease between 2004 and 2007 in MA-VL waste stocks resulted from changes in conditioning methods allowing volume reduction. Optimization of existing waste conditioning volumes and directing certain waste to the low-activity long-life pathway led to decreased medium-activity long-life waste stocks between 2015 and 2016.
2020–2030 Projections
• Projected radioactive waste volumes are estimated at 1.8 million m³ in 2020, of which 144,100 m³ of HA and long-life waste. Estimated volumes for 2030 are 2.5 million m³, of which 178,500 m³ of HA and long-life waste according to ANDRA estimates in its 2015 edition based on waste producer declarations, for the scenario considering a 50-year reactor lifetime and nuclear fleet renewal with EPRs and Fast Breeder Reactors (RNR). • A risk of saturation of spent fuel storage capacity (HA waste) could appear in the short term depending on the scenario chosen for progressive reactor shutdown provided under the Energy Transition for Green Growth Act. Two solutions are proposed to avoid this saturation: build new storage capacity or expand MOX fuel use in reactors.
Geographic Location
• Note: This radioactive waste does not include "radioactive materials" (Law no. 2006-739 of 28 June 2006). HA and MA-VL waste include foreign waste pending shipment. Other waste = waste without a pathway that does not currently fit into any existing or planned pathways, notably due to their chemical and physical characteristics. • By end 2016, radioactive waste was recorded in almost all French departments. Only 5 departments reported none: Hautes-Alpes, Ariège, Gers, Orne, and Territoire de Belfort. All overseas departments are affected, as well as French Polynesia (waste from nuclear tests) and New Caledonia. High-activity radioactive waste is concentrated at La Hague (Manche) and Marcoule (Gard) sites, as it is stored at production sites awaiting transfer to a deep storage facility (Cigéo). Medium-activity long-life waste (MA-VL) affects 52 communes in 34 departments (mainly production sites and research centers). Low- or medium-activity long-life waste (FMA-VL) is recorded in 76 communes in 42 departments.
Regulation – Methodology
• Article L. 542-12 of the Environmental Code requires ANDRA to establish the National Inventory of radioactive materials and waste in France. Stocks of radioactive materials and waste are published annually and forward projections every three years based on information provided by producers and holders of radioactive materials and waste. In the 2018 edition of the National Inventory, existing waste stocks are established as of end 2016, projections are established for 2030 and 2040 horizons and at termination, meaning after decommissioning of nuclear facilities authorized by end 2016. • Declaration obligations of producers and holders of radioactive materials and waste for the National Inventory are defined in articles R. 542-67 to R. 542-72 of the Environmental Code. These declarations have been mandatory since 2006.

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