WP4 circular economy summary position paper: HARPERS deliverabel D4.2

The HARPERS Work Package 4 (WP4) has explored the integration of circular economy principles into the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and the management of radioactive waste across Europe. This approach can offer considerable benefits, including reduced waste generation, enhanced resource recovery, cost savings and improved sustainability. However, the implementation of circular economy in these areas may face significant challenges rooted mainly in regulatory constraints and public perception. HARPERS WP4 identified key priority areas critical for circular economy and analysed existing regulatory discrepancies (Annex 6.1), case studies from various countries (Annex 6.2) and developed a decision support framework to compare linear and circular economy approaches in decommissioning and radioactive waste management (Annex 6.3). This Position Paper outlines the integration of circular economy principles within the context of nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management, highlighting the potential benefits, challenges, and recommendations for implementation across Europe.