Why Return of Residues

Until 2005, the operators of the German nuclear power plants sent spent fuel elements to Great Britain and France for reprocessing. They have committed to take back the resulting waste to Germany for further disposal. The Federal Republic of Germany is also obliged under international law to take back the radioactive waste produced in the process.

Most of the highly radioactive waste has already been returned to Germany. Following the transport of the total of 25 casks currently remaining to four storage locations in Germany, the return of the high-level radioactive waste from the reprocessing of German fuel elements abroad will be completed as part of the completion of the nuclear phase-out.