France plans to turn nuclear waste into forks, doorknobs and saucepans

The French energy giant Électricité de France (EDF) has radical plans to recycle nuclear waste- precisely, radioactive leftovers from closed nuclear facilities.

The firm proposes to turn radioactive waste into doorknobs, forks, saucepans, etc., according to media reports.

Inspired by Germany and Denmark’s nuclear waste recycling projects, the novel idea, if approved, could see closed Fessenheim plant nuclear waste turned into cutlery and beyond.

EDF’s former Fessenheim facility director, Laurent Jarry, reveals that the proposed project “would make it possible to process 500,000 tonnes of low-level radioactive metals over a period of forty years,” French media Reporterre stated.

According to the reports, the facility would span 15 hectares of land and mark the nation’s first step in nuclear material recycling.

“This future plant would process rubble, soil, and scrap metal generated from the dismantling of nuclear sites or conventional industries using naturally radioactive materials,” writes energynews .

“EDF hopes to avoid the long-term storage of these materials and provide a sustainable valorization solution.”

While the project could significantly change how France treats nuclear waste, it doesn’t mean highly radiative leftovers would be used. Only low-level radiative metals will be worked on with stringent safety to ensure safe material utilization.

Pass the public test, say anti-nuclear campaigners

The concept of converting nuclear waste into everyday items isn’t new, yet it may raise some eyebrows.

Many countries, including the United States, have employed methods to “clean” materials of radioactive nature. However, due to the country’s nature, France has seen the proposal sparking public outcry.

French “anti-nuclear campaigners claim that there is no harmless threshold,” Euronews reported .

“Exposure to radioactivity, however low, presents risks to human health such as increased chance of developing some types of cancer.”

Therefore, EDF’s plan must pass several strict approvals, including a public vote in February 2025, environmental clearance, and, importantly, an amendment to the French Public Health Act.

72% of French electricity is nuclear

France is among the countries with the largest share of nuclear power in its energy output, with 58 nuclear power reactors generating 72 percent of the nation’s electricity, according to a 2018 International Atomic Energy Agency report .

The French nuclear plant fleet produces massive amounts of radioactive waste and spent fuel in addition to generating electricity.

French analysts claim that the standardization of the country’s nuclear fleet and the practice of recycling spent fuel are the main reasons for the effectiveness of the nation’s spent fuel policy.

This leads to an efficient and secure supply and reduced radioactive waste burden.

“Wherever our Group operates, we want to invent a new energy model to address the climate crisis: lower-carbon, more efficient, less of an impact on the environment and on people,” reads the EDF website.

Until 2022, the French state did not allow nuclear waste recycling, following a state principle treating all waste from nuclear sites as hazardous. However, a ministerial decree in 2022 allowed the recycling of low-level radioactive waste under strict conditions.

While the debate continues, EDF’s new proposal reaching the submission stage represents a significant step forward in achieving a balance between innovation and public safety in France.