Waste: What goes where?
Batteries
| Category of batteries | Small batteries (<5kg) | Large Li batteries | Pb-Acid Batteries | Ni-Cd Batteries | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-category | Small batteries | Small Lithium batteries for PCs, phones, etc. | Industrial lithium batteries ; bike batteries… | Lead-acid starter batteries ; lead-acid traction batteries … | Nickel – Cadmium batteries |
| Photo | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
| Self-delivery solution | In a battery collector Find the nearest one: in the List of battery collectors or on GIS (Data > Waste containers > Indoor sorting bins ; then in the table of content select Small batteries (Recycling container)). | In a specific battery collectorThe battery collectors located at :R1 (500/R-203),R2 (504/R-202),R3 (866/R-201),and 774 (774/R-201)have a specific space in their lower section designed to hold small lithium batteries. | Different types of batteries (Li, Pb-Acid, Ni-Cd) must never be stored or transported together due to chemical and electrical hazards.If you have few batteries to dispose of, you can bring them directly to B.617 on the Prévessin site. | ||
| Collection on request | Small batteries collection request /!\ If you have a damaged (swollen) battery is strongly recommended that : Never press or apply pressure to it. Place adhesive tape over the terminals to insulate them and prevent short circuits. Submit ASAP a collection request via the Small batteries collection request and in the ‘Further details’ field, please specify that the battery is damaged. So our dedicated team can arrange prompt collection. | Different types of batteries (Li, Pb-Acid, Ni-Cd) must never be stored or transported together due to chemical and electrical hazards. Given the dangerous nature of these batteries, they must be placed in special packaging before requesting transport. => see the procedure in this KB : KB0008245.EDH internal transport request(Destination : B.617 and please add pictures) | |||
Bulbs & Neon Lights
| Category | All type of Bulbs & Neon lights | |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | | |
| Self-delivery solution | If you have a small number of light bulbs and/or neon lights, you can bring them directly to B.617 at the Prévessin site. | |
| Collection on request | EDH internal transport request (Destination : B.617) | |
Printer toner cartridges
| Category | All type of printer toner cartridges | |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | ![]() | |
| Self-delivery solution | If you have a small number of printer cartridges, you can bring them directly to B.194 at the Meyrin site. | |
| Collection on request | EDH internal transport request (Destination : B.194) | |
| Sorting rules | ||
Informatic & Electronic waste
| Category | Informatic | Electronic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-category | Screens, tablets, phones, keyboards, mice, hard drives, computer towers, laptops and printers. | Computer storage devices: hard drives, external drives, electronic cards… Equipment with chassis ONLY! | |
| Photo | ![]() | ![]() | |
| Self-delivery solution | If you have a small number of electronic and/or informatic devices, you can bring them directly to B.617 at the Prévessin site. | ||
| Container on request | ![]() Request a RED container via the EDH internal transport request from B.617 to the desired location(a covered area!). To remove the container(s), submit a another EDH internal transport request to B.617. | ![]() Request a BLUE container via the EDH internal transport request from B.617 to the desired location(a covered area!). To remove the container(s), submit a another EDH internal transport request to B.617. | |
| CAUTION ! | All data must be erased (Read : Destruction of digital media) and printer cartridges removed!Household appliances (vacuum cleaners, kettles, microwaves, irons, etc.) are not included in these categories: request their transport specifically via the EDH internal transport request (Destination: Zone 9102) or bring them directly to zone 9102 at the Prévessin site.Please do not keep the container(s) for more than one week.Like all waste containers: the bin must not overflow ! | ||
Glass
| Category of batteries | Glass | |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-category | Glass bottles & jars | Glass from construction sites (glazing) |
| Photo | ![]() | ![]() |
| Solution | Self delivery solution Glass containers are available at all Ecopoints. Find your nearest ecopoint using : mapCERN (CERN Services > Ecopoint) or GIS (Data > Waste containers > Ecopoint). Note: Glass bottle bins are available in certain on-site buildings, restaurants, and cafeterias. | Container on request Request a container/skip (depending on the quantity) with the “Rubble/Gravats” category by using the Request a skip form. Note down the job number of your request provided in the confirmation. Then for the emptying/removal use the Emptying or removal form. |
| CAUTION ! | Dishware does not fall into this category and must be disposed of as “inert waste (rubble).” You can therefore drop it off directly at zone 9102 or make an EDH internal transport request. | Special types of glass, such as laminated, insulated, reinforced, painted, or tinted glass, fall into the category of special waste. Please submit a specific request using the contact form. |
| Sorting rules | ||
PET Bottles
| Category | PET drinks bottles | |
|---|---|---|
| Self-delivery solution | Outside buildingsPET drink bottles containers are available at all Ecopoints.Find your nearest ecopoint using :mapCERN (CERN Services > Ecopoint)orGIS (Data > Waste containers > Ecopoint). | |
| Inside buildingsSome bins for PET bottles are available at some coffee/lunch break areas.To obtain an PET bottles bin for your premises, submit a request explaining your need via the contact form. A member of the Waste Management service will get back to you as soon as possible. | ||
| CAUTION ! | Do not put other types of plastic (bags, food packaging, milk bottles, Tetrapack cartons) in the PET bin, as this contaminates the sorting process and prevents PET from being recycled. | |
| Sorting rules | ||
Aluminium cans
| Category | Aluminium cans | |
|---|---|---|
| Self-delivery solution | Outside buildings Aluminium cans containers are available at all Ecopoints. Find your nearest ecopoint using : mapCERN (CERN Services > Ecopoint) or GIS (Data > Waste containers > Ecopoint). | |
| Inside buildings Bins for Aluminium cans are available at shared sorting bins (located in hallways and coffee/lunch break areas). To obtain a set of shared sorting bins for your premises, simply send a request using the contact form, and a member of the Waste Management service will get back to you as soon as possible to plan the installation. | ||
| CAUTION ! | Do not dispose aerosol cans in the bin, as they present a risk of explosion or fire in the aluminum processing line. Instead, bring them directly to B. 262 or submit an EDH internal transport request to B.262. Aluminum coffee capsules are sorted separately, see the “Coffee capsules” block. | |
| Sorting rules | ||
Coffee capsules
| Category | Coffee capsules | |
|---|---|---|
| Self-delivery solution | Outside buildings Coffee capsules containers are available at all Ecopoints. Find your nearest ecopoint using : mapCERN (CERN Services > Ecopoint) or GIS (Data > Waste containers > Ecopoint). | |
| Inside buildings To make it easier to store used capsules in your office, you can obtain free 6-liter containers by submitting a request via the contact form. A member of the Waste Management service will get back to you as soon as possible. | ||
| Sorting rules | ||
Paper & Cardboard
| Category | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Small quantity (<1m3)Individual scale | Large quantity (>1m3)Organizational scale | ||
| Sub-category | All type of paper and small cardboard packaging | Cardboard boxes | Cardboard boxes onlyor mixed with paper & small cardboard packaging | Paper only |
| Photo | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
| Solution | Self-delivery – Inside buildings Bins for paper & small carboards are available at shared sorting bins (located in hallways and coffee/lunch break areas). To obtain a set of shared sorting bins for your premises, simply send a request using the contact form , and a member of the Waste Management service will get back to you as soon as possible to plan the installation. | Self-delivery – Outside buildings Paper/cardboard containers are available in front of almost all buildings and at all Ecopoints. Find your nearest ecopoint using : mapCERN (CERN Services > Ecopoint) or GIS (Data > Waste containers > Ecopoint). Note: Paper & small cardboards could be disposed in these bins too. Do you have small ‘Lyreco’ boxes left over from a commissary order? They are reused by the delivery team! Simply submit an EDH internal transport request to B.194. | Container on request Request a container/skip (depending on the quantity) with the “Paper and cardboard / Papiers et cartons” category by using the Request a skip form . Note down the job number of your request provided in the confirmation. Then for the emptying/removal use the Emptying or removal form . | If you generate large quantities of good quality paper (white paper with few color prints and not shredded) : see the “Paper only” block. |
Paper only
| Category | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Small quantity (<1m3)Individual scale | Large quantity (>1m3)Organizational scale | ||
| Sub-category | Paper only :white paper with few color prints and not shredded | Paper only :white paper with few color prints and not shredded | Confidential paper only | |
| Photo | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
| Solution | Self-delivery – Inside buildings The Cleaning Service makes available to your office specific bins for recycling paper, users can request these box-it by filling-in the following form : Request for a box-it . The paper bin will be distributed by the cleaning company. | Self-delivery – Outside buildings Paper only containers are available in front of almost all buildings and at all Ecopoints. Find your nearest ecopoint using : mapCERN (CERN Services > Ecopoint) or GIS (Data > Waste containers > Ecopoint). Note: Paper & small cardboards could be disposed in these bins too. | Container on request Request a container/skip (depending on the quantity) with the “Paper and cardboard / Papiers et cartons” category by using the Request a skip form . Note down the job number of your request provided in the confirmation. Then for the emptying/removal use the Emptying or removal form . | Container on request For all confidential documents (ONLY on paper, no plastic folders or sleeves) that must be disposed of separately from regular paper/cardboard waste. Closed containers are provided on request at convenient locations in the buildings. Request a container/skip (depending on the quantity) with the“Confidential documents / Documents confidentiels” category by using the Request a skip form . Note down the job number of your request provided in the confirmation. Then for the emptying/removal use the Emptying or removal form . More information on the processing of confidential documents. |
Other / Incinerable waste
| Category | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Small quantity (<1m3)Individual scale | Large quantity (>1m3)Organizational scale | ||
| Sub-category | Generally speaking, this includes all waste for which there is no recycling channel available at CERN. It is the last resort after searching through all other categories.If you have any doubts, please contact the CERN Waste Management Service using the contact form . | Non-recyclable, non-toxic, combustible waste up to 60 cm in size. Damaged insulation, plastics (except Sagex and PET), etc.If you have any doubts, please contact the CERN Waste Management Service using the contact form . | ||
| Photo | ![]() | ![]() | ||
| Solution | Self-delivery – Inside buildings Bins for other waste are available at shared sorting bins (located in hallways and coffee/lunch break areas). To obtain a set of shared sorting bins for your premises, simply send a request using the contact form , and a member of the Waste Management service will get back to you as soon as possible to plan the installation. | Self-delivery – Outside buildings Other waste containers are available in front of almost all buildings and at all Ecopoints. Find your nearest ecopoint using : mapCERN (CERN Services > Ecopoint) or GIS (Data > Waste containers > Ecopoint). | Container on request Request a container/skip (depending on the quantity) with the“Bulky items / Encombrants or Incinerable waste/Déchets incinérables” category by using the Request a skip form . Note down the job number of your request provided in the confirmation. Then for the emptying/removal use the Emptying or removal form . | |
Bulky waste
| Category | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Small quantity(a few items) | Large quantity | Large quantity |
| Condition | Good or bad condition | Good condition | Bad condition |
| Photo | ![]() | ![]() | |
| Self-delivery solution | If you are able to move them yourself, you can bring them directly to zone 9102 at the Prévessin site. | N/A | |
| Request | Transport on request Upstream, it is possible to seek a reuse solution to transport items directly to future CERN reusers. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the CERN Waste Management Service using the contact form . EDH internal transport request (Destination : zone 9102) The CERN Waste Sorting Center team will assess the condition of bulky items, giving priority to those in good condition for reuse within CERN’s internal circuit, and secondarily for sale. | Container on request Request a container/skip (depending on the quantity) with the“Bulky items / Encombrants or Incinerable waste/Déchets incinérables” category by using the Request a skip form . Note down the job number of your request provided in the confirmation. Then for the emptying/removal use the Emptying or removal form . | |
Scrap metals
| Category | ||
|---|---|---|
| Details | Scrap metal includes: – Cast iron or steel parts from discarded or demolished objects (metal frames, old machines, etc…) – Surplus raw materials – Metal shavings (essentially copper, stainless steel and aluminium) | |
| Sub-category | ![]() | |
| Container on request | Request a container/skip (depending on the quantity) with the“Scrap metal and iron / Ferraille” category by using the Request a skip form. Note down the job number of your request provided in the confirmation. Then for the emptying/removal use the Emptying or removal form . | |
| CAUTION ! | Scrap metal must be sorted: each bin or skip must contain only metals of the same type/sub-category. For example : one bin for stainless steel, another for aluminium, another copper, another for steel, another for brass and another for lead. | |
Wood
| Category | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-category | Standard “EUR” pallets | Lost pallets & Small pieces of wood <1m3 | Normal wood >1m3 | Problem wood |
| Details | EUR pallets are standardized by the European Pallet Association (EPAL) and have a high financial value. | Not standard “EUR” pallets and wood of small dimensions. | Clean construction and demolition wood, such as large cable drums, planks, chipboard, etc. | Exterior wood, treated or contaminated, such as frames, doors, shutters, windows, posts, railroad sleepers, etc. |
| Photo | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
| Self-delivery solution | If you have a small number of standard pallets, you can bring them directly to B.194 at the Meyrin site. | Small quantities of wood :If you have a small amount of wood <1m3 and not standard pallets, you can bring it directly to zone 9102 at the Prévessin site.orThere is a regular scrap wood collection on Prévessin & Meyrin sites. Small amount of wood <1m3 and not standard pallets can be deposited at the wood points listed on this listand on GIS (Data > Waste containers > Outdoor containers; then in the table of content select Outdoor containers > Wood point). | Never mix problem wood with normal wood! It requires special treatment. Ask for a container, even for a small quantity. | |
| Container on request | EDH internal transport request (Destination : B.194) | EDH internal transport request (Destination : zone 9102) | Request a container/skip (depending on the quantity) with the “Scrap wood / Bois” category by using the Request a skip form. Select No to the question “Is it a wood problem?”Note down the job number of your request provided in the confirmation.–Then for the emptying/removal use the Emptying or removal form . | Request a container/skip (depending on the quantity) with the “Scrap wood / Bois” category by using the Request a skip form. Select Yes to the question “Is it a wood problem?” and add details in the “Further details” field at the end.Note down the job number of your request provided in the confirmation.–Then for the emptying/removal use the Emptying or removal form . |
Inert waste (Rubble)
| Category | ||
|---|---|---|
| Details | Recyclable building site waste such as red bricks, tiles, ceramics, glass, fractionated concrete remnants, etc. Max. dimension 80 cm. | |
| Photo | ![]() | |
| Container on request | Request a container/skip (depending on the quantity) with the “Rubble/Gravats” category by using the Request a skip form. Note down the job number of your request provided in the confirmation.–Then for the emptying/removal use the Emptying or removal form . | |
| CAUTION ! | Ensure that all waste is inert.Max. dimension 80 cm ! | |
“SAGEX” Expanded polystyrene
| Category | ||
|---|---|---|
| Details | SAGEX is identifiable by the ♸ 6 pictogram, indicating that it is polystyrene (PS). Although usually white, it can sometimes come in other colors. | |
| Photo | ![]() | |
| Container on request | Request one or more 500-liter bags (depending on the quantity) with the “Expanded polystyrene ” SAGEX” / Polystyrène expansé “SAGEX”” category by using the Request a skip form. Note down the job number of your request provided in the confirmation.–Then for the emptying/removal use the Emptying or removal form . | |
Construction waste to be sorted
| Category | ||
|---|---|---|
| Details | Mixed inert and incinerable waste that cannot be sorted on site.Should be considered as a last resort. | |
| Container on request | Request a container/skip (depending on the quantity) with the “Construction waste for sorting / Déchets chantier à trier” category by using the Request a skip form. Note down the job number of your request provided in the confirmation.–Then for the emptying/removal use the Emptying or removal form . | |
Hazardous/Special waste
| Category | ||
|---|---|---|
| Details | Hazardous/special waste includes: chemicals, acids, bases, hydrocarbons, solvents, paint and glue residues, household products bearing hazard symbols, contaminated waste (e.g. rags or gloves), contaminated equipment (e.g. transformers containing oils or PCBs), etc. If you have any doubts, please contact the CERN Waste Management Service using the contact form . | |
| Collection on request | EDH internal transport request (Destination : B.262) | |
| CAUTION ! | First, consult the procedure for requesting transport and read the details according to the type of waste. | |













































