Schleswig-Holstein mandates landfills to accept nuclear plant waste

The Schleswig-Holstein State Office for the Environment (LfU) has issued mandates requiring two landfills to accept waste from the decommissioned Brokdorf and Brunsbüttel nuclear power plants. The decision follows a lack of voluntary providers in the disposal market.

The waste consists of approximately 195 tons of mineral insulation from Brokdorf and 3,675 tons of insulation and construction debris from Brunsbüttel. Authorities stated that the materials have undergone extensive measurements and have been cleared for disposal under the ‘10-microsievert concept’. This ensures radiation levels are extremely low, approximately one two-hundredth of natural background radiation, posing no threat to public health.

The designated sites for the waste are the Harrislee landfill near Flensburg and the Johannistal landfill in the Ostholstein district. The LfU coordinated these orders with the Kiel Ministry of Environment, which oversees both waste law and nuclear supervision.