Waste Management and
Minimization
Presentation to the Pickering CAC
April 21, 2015
BEHAVIOURS
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Integrate & Collaborate
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Think Top & Bottom Line
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Simplify It
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Say It. Do It
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Tell It As It Is
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
Reducing Environmental Impact
A Part of our Business
As a normal part of our business,
we generate waste through day-today operations and maintenance.
This includes radioactive waste
which must be safely managed.
OPG is committed to being
Ontario’s largest green energy
company.
Our efforts to reduce the amount of
low level radioactive waste we
produce helps reduce our
environmental footprint now and in
the future.
OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
Focused on Minimizing Waste
Introduced a number of programs to minimize low level waste and
increase the effectiveness of volume reduction (incineration/compaction):
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In recent years, reduction in volume of waste produced at Pickering
Use of washable clothing to divert generation of waste
Increased use of segregation programs at “source” of generation
Pilot programs to re-sort and reduce amount of stored waste
Education and awareness campaign launched for all nuclear staff
Incineration: 95% reduction
OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
Low Level Waste Storage
Compaction: 75% reduction
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
It’s all About the Waste
Video Message
(Open presentation in “presentation mode – slide show and click hyperlink)
http://www.dngs.hydro.on.ca/Pa1/Linked_sharepoint_attachments/2015/OPG_Waste_Minimization_Main_video_without_captions_(Final)_March_19_2015HD.wmv
OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
Metal Materials Separated
 Metal waste is properly segregated in
bins
 Bins are located at airlocks and work
areas
OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
Removing Unwanted Materials
 Preventing waste
• Removing excess packaging
(cardboard, plastic, wood) before
leaving Stores (inventory area)
• Washable tool and equipment
bags used instead of pails or tool
boxes
• Decontaminate and reuse
toolboxes, electrical cable, hose
and tools
• Use of contaminated tools
(reuse)
OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
Washables
• Use of washables to reduce
waste
• Multiple segregation bins – to
ensure proper sorting of
materials
OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
Area for Improvement – examples
Cardboard
Re-useable
Components
Re-useable
Parts
OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
Parts to be
returned to Stores
Unused
Materials
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
Waste Sorting Pilot Project
• Retrieving older, non-processible waste
• Segregating and sorting
• Waste is selected randomly from the available Low Level
Storage Buildings
OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
Sorting Area
Waste is sorted into four streams:
• Incinerable
• Compactable
• Metal
• Non-processible
Volume
Reduction
7%
Incinerable
20%
Metal
33%
Compactable
13%
NonProcessible
27%
OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
Decontamination Room
About half of the metal was cleaned and free
released.
OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
Reuse
When items cannot be free released but
can serve a purpose in the zoned area,
they are kept as “contaminated” tools.
OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
OPG’s Deep Geologic Repository
• Taking responsibility now for future
generations - a proud history of
stewardship
• Many options – DGR is global best practice
• Community requested permanent solution
• One goal in mind:
• a permanent, safe storage facility for
Ontario’s low and intermediate level
waste
• ensures the lake, environment and public
remain protected;
• confirms the geosphere will safely protect
the biosphere;
• is supported by fact-based science and
analysis validated by a rigorous government
and regulator review and approval; and
• earns the trust of a supportive
knowledgeable community
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OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
 S A FET Y  I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
Strong Safety Case
Years of site investigation, analysis and engagement:
 Over a decade of extensive engagement in Canada and US
 14 years of scientific study
• DGR will safely and permanently be isolated from lake and environment
• validated by government and experts from around the world
 Most comprehensive and science-based review in Canadian history
• Open and transparent
• Reflects input from hundreds of voices
• Extensive environmental assessment hearings - 33 days
 S A FET Y
OPG April Update
14OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
 I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 
Federal Review Process
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Third year of the process with more steps still remaining
Public Registry closed fall of 2014
Comprehensive facts placed on the record
A recommendation is coming May 6
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Report will include conclusions, rationale and recommendations
It will be a major hurdle in a rigorous and open process
Will advise the Minister on whether the project should proceed
Expectation is the project will proceed based on technical merits
Will likely come with more than 100 conditions
Public has an opportunity to comment to the minister
If Environmental Assessment is approved by Minister, Joint Review Panel
to consider licence for site preparation and construction
 S A FET Y
OPG April Update
OPG INTERNAL USE ONLY
 I N T EGRI T Y  EX CEL L EN CE  P EOP L E & CI T I Z EN S H I P 