3.3.2.2.6 Conventional waste and the circular economy

Circular economy

In accordance with the energy transition, the Group makes the optimum use of natural resources consumed through its value chain a central element of its corporate responsibility and has included this area in its sustainable development policy. Electricity is a means of transforming economies through the development of new patterns of use which provide improved comfort while reducing the use of natural resources (electric mobility, new energy services). The principles of the circular economy guide the Company’s management, involving many areas well beyond waste management alone⁽¹⁾, particularly energy, the Group’s core business, the necessary raw materials (see section 3.3.2.2.4 “Resources”), soils (see section 3.3.2.2.3 “Soils”), and water (see section 3.3.2.2.1 “Water”).

Practical actions are taken in the field, particularly via recovery of energy from our own and our customers’ processes but also by promoting the reuse of our materials and equipment on our generation fleet construction and decommissioning projects. The design of facilities by engineering entities is based on an eco-design approach taking account of their environmental footprint throughout their entire lifecycle. EDF Renewables, which studies the impacts of wind and solar power technologies (from the extraction of raw materials to decommissioning of the facilities) has a special focus on the end-of-life of equipment and its recyclability.

Recovery of combustion products and materials

The Group has implemented the circular economy for some years, with ethical systems in place for the recycling and reuse of thermal plant products and materials used during construction works. Combustion fly ash and gypsum produced by desulphurisation are recovered in full by all thermal generation plants in Europe (France, United Kingdom) and in China. Overall, several hundred thousand tonnes of ash are used in building roads and in the cement industry. In France, EDF’s fossil-fuel thermal plants produced 31,340 tonnes of ashes in 2019 and 113,971 were recycled in the cement and concrete sector (depletion of old inventory).

Dalkia is developing the use of waste as fuel, which uses a fraction of biomass waste that has not been used previously (forest cutting residues). The materials involved in construction work are, to a great extent, reused, as in the following examples: post-Fukushima projects of nuclear sites, burial sites (ÉS).

In order to find other levers for recovery of these materials in France, the Group has undertaken research into better recovery of ash, sediment and sludge and is an active participant in the work of the non-profit RECORD to develop methods and tools together with other industrial groups.⁽²⁾ With the association OREE, ADEME and the Ministry of Ecological Transition, EDF participated in writing the decommissioning guide. Tests in previous years on hydraulic generation to recover sediment for use as soil resulted in high levels of recovery in 2019. Dalkia Wastenergy is actively participating in the research project TERRACOTA for the recovery of solid recovered fuel (SRF) supported by ADEME.

Conventional waste

So-called conventional waste includes waste passed on to a subsidiary during the year. Waste stored on-site, waste awaiting removal, materials reused on-site (e.g. earth and rubble) and equipment that could be reused (sold or gifted) are not taken into account. They do not include radioactive waste (see section 3.3.2.2.5 "Radioactive waste"). Combustion fly ash and gypsum from the process are reviewed specifically⁽³⁾. Construction and decommissioning waste is included in this report, if its management falls under the responsibility of the EDF group.

Due its business model spanning design to end-of-life, the EDF group generates waste at different stages in the life cycle of its assets: site development (construction, decommissioning and heavy maintenance), operations (process and maintenance), and waste generated by service activities. As part of its sustainable development policy, the EDF group is committed to limiting waste generated by its facilities and activities. Based on its Environmental Management System (EMS), conventional waste management is carried out within the framework of the regulations in force, complies with the waste management hierarchy and prioritises reduction at the source, particularly by repairing, reusing and use of eco-designed and eco-friendly products, sorting and recycling.

Measures to reduce conventional waste

The Group’s entities and companies are committed to a process of continuous improvement according to the principle that the “best waste” is waste that is not produced. They have action plans aimed at limiting the generation of waste integrated in the management systems’ action programmes (EDF, ÉS, Dalkia, Luminus, EDF Energy) with associated indicators (quantity of waste prevention, savings made on waste management, quantities of equipment reused, etc.). A number of levers for action are used: internal procedures (anticipation of construction sites: organisational schemes for waste management systematically set-up prior to any major construction, decommissioning or maintenance work, sales agreements or donations for reuse), specific rules in the Company specifications, innovative technical solutions (separation of water/oil from hydrocarbon effluent, asbestos stripping), numerous awareness-raising initiatives for staff and service providers (communication, training, waste prevention guide incorporating 34 best practices, e-learning), and initiatives to reduce waste hazardousness such as limiting the use of hazardous products (see section 3.1.2.4.4 "Management of environmental risks").

A “Waste Prevention Competition”, in place since 2011 and extended Group-wide in 2016, compiles good practices. In-house or external reuse activities are developing strongly in connection with the cessation of activity of (thermal) production units and the support tools.

Conventional waste management and recovery

In addition to prevention measures, the Group’s environmental policy aims to improve the recovery of waste that is produced via the following actions: developing the recycling of parts and materials, particularly in the decommissioning phase; the efficient sorting of waste so that it may be sent to energy or materials recovery companies (e.g.: EDF Renewables PV Cycle and First Solar agreements which take panels back at the end of their useful life, rental of IT equipment to DSP); developing partnerships with recycling service providers (RECYLUM for Citelum, Ateliers du Bocage for printer cartridges); implementing on-site pre-treatment of various waste items, in order to limit the volume of hazardous waste and promote the recovery of the remaining portion (e.g.: concentration of hydrocarbons).

The EDF sustainable development policy has set an objective to recover 90% of all waste for the entire Group by 2021. Results remain at high levels.

(1) With regard to food waste, EDF does not consider this information as being material. With respect to its materiality analysis, EDF does not consider information related to the amendments to Article L. 225-102-01 of the French Commercial Code on food shortages, respect for animal welfare and a responsible, fair and sustainable food supply as being material.
(2) There were many examples, including the free supply of warm water from the Gravelines power plant to the Aquanord fish farm, where by installing pipes to draw warm water from the drains, the fish farm collects 10m3 per second, without a water heating system (see the EDF “Circular economy and regions” guide, 2020).
(3) Taking account of the quantities produced and prospects of recovery (mainly the cement industry).