Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, repeat

Waste is unquestionably a major environmental challenge worldwide and one we all play a role in tackling. Effective waste management is a fundamental pillar of CERN’s efforts to minimise its environmental footprint.

Did you know that conventional non-hazardous waste represents 70% of CERN’s total waste? Recycling is central to CERN’s waste reduction strategy and the Laboratory remains committed to continuously improving its recycling rate: for reference, 69% of conventional waste was recycled in 2022 compared with 56% in 2018.

We all contribute to minimising waste, whatever the type. The Storage, Recuperation and Sales Service (Building 133) of the SCE department plays a key role in the refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, repeat strategy. An unexpected hive of activity, this is the place where everything is prepared for reuse or recycling and sorted into the right channels. The service also resells or donates equipment that CERN no longer needs.

Don’t buy new, reuse

The service is a sales centre where you can buy second-hand furniture, IT equipment, metals, wood for DIY and more for your private use, or collect for free for your professional CERN use. Browse the online catalogue and discover the many items available now. You can collect items at Building 133, by appointment only, every Thursday from 8.30 to 11.30 a.m. and from 1.30 to 4 p.m.

A place for everything and everything in its place

Most of the hardware handled by the service comes from facilities that are no longer in operation, such as experiments or accelerators. The service also takes care of low value items from around the Laboratory and its offices, such as computers, furniture, various metals, all types of batteries, electronic and IT equipment, light sources (neon lights, bulbs), refrigeration appliances, paper and cardboard, plastic, glass, rubble, bulky items and wood.

The service is open weekdays from 8.30 to 11.30 a.m. and from 1.30 to 4 p.m. (closed Friday afternoons) and is available to anyone working on the CERN site. You can come and deposit your items directly or, if they are bulky, you can make a transport request in EDH. For large volumes, the service can collect them using a grapple truck. If you have old furniture to dispose of, don’t throw it in a skip: it can also be dismantled and recycled. Requests for furniture removal must be made using a transport request via EDH (category "Internal transport", type "Removal") and addressed to Building 133.

If you have any doubt about what waste goes where, check out this informative webpage or contact recovery.sales@cern.ch, and remember that there is a dedicated facility for handling chemical waste at Building 262.

Take a tour of the Building 133 Storage, Recuperation and Sales service facility in the video below or come and see it for yourself. And remember: the best waste is no waste.