Orano - Annual Activity Report 2024 190 4 SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT Environmental information Results in terms of circularity in products Orano is reflecting how to quantify the indicators required by the standard (expected sustainability of the products marketed by the company, compared to the industry average for each product group, product repairability, proportion of recyclable content in products and their packaging). The first step will be to identify the relevant standards applicable to its products. Financial effects related to circularity in products The financial impact of opportunities related to circularity in products and services will mainly result in an increase in turnover for the group. 4.2.5.3 Optimize radioactive waste management Orano produces radioactive waste generated by its activities in the nuclear field, but also non-radioactive waste (so-called “conventional”) from its activities not subject to radiological risk. The group’s actions in this area consist in avoiding waste production as much as possible, developing recovery channels and responsibly managing final waste. Waste management policy and actions DEFINITIONS USED BY ORANO Radioactive waste is defined as “radioactive substances for which no use is planned or contemplated or which have been reclassified as such by the administrative authority” (Article L. 542-1-1 of the French Environmental Code). It is managed according to two parameters, its activity, and its life. Waste is then divided into the following categories: ● VLLW (very low-level waste); ● LMLW-SL (low and medium level short-lived waste); ● LLW-LL (low-level long-lived waste); ● MLW-LL (medium level long-lived waste); ● HLW (high-level waste). Radioactive waste is managed by the National agency for radioactive waste management (Andra). The management method associated with each waste category is represented in the following table: Very short-lived waste (<100 days) Short-lived waste (≤31 years) Long-lived waste (>31 years) Very low-level waste (VLLW) Management through radioactive decay at the production site Near-surface storage facility for VLLW (Andra - CIRES) Low-level waste (LLW) Near-surface storage facility for LMLW (Andra - Aube and Manche) Research carried out under the French law of June 28, 2006 (near-surface storage under study at 15 to 200m) Medium-level waste (MLW) Research carried out under the French law of June 28, 2006 (deep storage, 500m) High-level waste (HLW) Not applicable Research carried out under the French law of June 28, 2006 (deep geological repository, 500m) The hierarchy of management methods provided for conventional waste also applies to radioactive waste, with some limitations: Conventional waste from economic activities is classified into two categories: non-hazardous waste (NHW), including inert waste, and hazardous waste (HW). French regulations provide for the principle of prevention based on the reduction of waste at source (the best waste is the waste that is not produced) and management methods to be favored, starting with: ● material recovery, which includes preparation for reuse, recycling and backfilling; ● energy recovery (for example, methanization and energy recovery); and ● disposal (by landfill or incineration without energy recovery). Depending on the category of waste and the treatment facility (outlet) planned for post-evacuation management, different recovery and disposal processes are implemented. Waste treatment facilities must comply with the more or less strict requirements pursuant to their prefectural decree depending on the type of waste treated (non-hazardous, inert or non-inert, or hazardous). Thus, waste must be directed to specific and compatible channels.
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