The first seven packages containing low- and intermedium-level radioactive waste, after processing at the Industrial Complex for Solid Radioactive Waste Management of (ICSRM), have been shipped and transferred for disposal to a Specially Equipped Near-surface Disposal Facility for Solid Radioactive Waste (ENSDF) which is part of the ‘Vector’ complex.

In late May, the ICSRM entered the initial operation phase after receiving the relevant license from the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine.

The complex is currently processing solid radioactive waste accumulated during the Chornobyl NPP operation and stored in the Solid Radioactive Waste Storage Facility, which is in operation at the plant since 1978. This waste includes used personal protective equipment, thermal insulation materials, cable insulations and the cables themselves, individual metal structures, soil, concrete, reinforcing steel, ion-exchange resins from water treatment system filters, and etc.

The waste is removed from the old storage facility using a specialised solid radioactive waste retrieval facility. Its design capacity is up to 3 m³ of radioactive waste per day, and its estimated service life is 30 years. The facility is designed to handle all categories of solid radioactive waste stored in the storage facility.

The retrieved waste is loaded into a special metal transport container with a volume of 1.3 m³ and then transported via a process gallery to the hot cell of the facility intended for all categories solid radioactive waste sorting and low- and intermedium-level waste processing.

At this stage, each batch of waste undergoes radiological characterization and control. Specifically, checks are conducted for the presence of potential ionizing radiation sources and other high-level waste that should not enter the processing stream. Following characterization, the waste is loaded into 165-liter drums and compacted. The immobilized and packaged radioactive waste is then transported to ENSDF for disposal.

ICSRM is designed to receive and process solid radioactive waste accumulated during the ChNPP's operational period, waste generated during the plant's decommissioning, and operational radioactive waste from the “Shelter” object.

The complex comprises four solid radioactive waste management facilities integrated into a single technological cycle. The design and construction of the ICSRM were funded by the European Commission.

The “Vector” complex is part of the State Specialized Enterprise “Central Enterprise for Radioactive Waste Management” (SSE “CERWM”), which is the National Operator for radioactive waste management.