Waste Sorting and Management
All waste produced by activities must be sorted at the source and placed in the appropriate collection point or container.
Waste management is everyone’s responsibility.
Correct sorting helps ensure safe handling, regulatory compliance, traceability, and the reuse or recycling of materials whenever possible.
Where to dispose of waste?
CERN provides dedicated collection routes for the different types of waste, including paper and cardboard, PET bottles, aluminum cans, glass, batteries, electrical and electronic equipment, metals, wood, bulky items and hazardous or special waste.
Before disposing of an item, consult the CERN Waste: What Goes Where? page to identify the correct sorting category, collection point and, where applicable, the request to be submitted.
At CMS Point 5, use the designated collection point according to the type of waste:
- Everyday waste: sorting bins are available in the breakrooms of Buildings 3594, 3593, 3562 and Base de Vie for paper and cardboard, PET bottles, aluminum cans and other waste.
- Small batteries: a dedicated collection box is available in the Building 3562 breakroom.
- Waste from technical activities: use the correctly labelled container in the CMS Point 5 Waste Area (outside Building 3580).
- Hazardous or chemical waste: do not dispose of it in conventional waste containers. Follow the dedicated procedure or contact CMS Safety.
For more information on waste management at Point 5 and the hazardous waste management procedure, consult the dedicated documentation on EDMS 2996132.
Always follow the labels displayed on the containers. If the appropriate collection point is not available or is unclear, you can contact CMS Safety before disposing of the waste.
Waste Management during LS3
The increased level of activities during LS3 will generate significant quantities of conventional waste, particularly during the decommissioning phase. A dedicated strategy has therefore been established for sorting, conditioning, temporary storage and transporting this waste and can be consulted on EDMS 3428419.
The objective is to sort and condition as much waste as possible directly at the workplace in order to facilitate its handling, transport and overall management.
Waste originating from UXC55 must first be measured by HSE-RP: activated material will follow the applicable Radiation Protection procedures, while cleared material will enter the conventional waste stream.
Check the Radiation Protection Page for more info about Radioactive Waste Management.