In accordance with the LLW Repository Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC – Version 5.0), a Discrete Item means:

A distinct item of waste that, by its characteristics, is recognisable as unusual or not of natural origin and could be a focus of interest, out of curiosity or potential for recovery and recycling/re-use of materials, should the waste item be exposed after Repository closure.

Discrete Items are accepted by the Repository where they meet the Discrete Item Limit (a radioactivity limit as described in the WAC) and all other relevant Repository acceptance criteria. Cutting up or dismantling of a Discrete Item into multiple Discrete Items, in order to alter the outcome of the Discrete Item Limit assessment, is not permitted. However, such action is allowed to reduce the size of a Discrete Item to fit it into an approved disposal container (as listed in WAC Table 4.1) or to enable segregation of parts of a Discrete Item for management by different routes.

All waste items must be considered for reuse and diversion (metal treatment, incineration, disposal to permitted landfill or supercompaction) before a waste producer seeks to consign items to the Repository; ensuring appropriate application of the Waste Hierarchy and minimising disposals to the Repository.

The following resource is a library of LLW Repository Ltd decisions on whether particular items of waste are Discrete Items or Non Discrete Items. The resource is intended to help waste producers decide if waste items they propose to consign to the Repository should be recorded as Discrete Items on the LLWR Waste Consignment Information Form (WCI).

New decision summaries will continue to be added to the library as they become available.

Click here to access the library of Discrete Item Decision Summaries