Tag: Disposal

Disposal in nuclear and fusion energy involves the safe handling, treatment, and long-term management of radioactive waste and materials to protect people and the environment, ensuring regulatory compliance and sustainability.

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Solidifying Hanford waste in glass

The Hanford site, based in Benton County, Washington, has started up its low-level waste facility where a crucial element of the plant is solidifying the Hanford tank waste in glass.

The Hanford waste treatment plant is designed to safely process 56 million gallons of radioactive waste that is stored in its tanks.

This site was initially used for plutonium production during WWII and the Cold War, and it is now critical that the site addresses its environmental legacy through the plants primary mission to safely treat and stabalise radioactive & chemical waste through a process called vitrification. The waste gets mixed with glass-forming materials and heated to ~2,100 degrees Fahrenheit to create a stable glass form.

“The Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant represents a monumental effort in environmental remediation, aiming to mitigate the risks associated with decades of nuclear waste storage. With ongoing advancements and successful operational milestones, the plays a crucial role in the long-term cleanup and safety of the Hanford Site and surrounding communities”

https://www.hanfordvitplant.com/newsroom/the-hanford-site-begins-solidifying-tank-waste-in-glass

Picture from: Hanford Vit Plant

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Cumbria’s low level radioactive waste disposal facility

Drigg, the UK’s only low-level radioactive waste repository, offers a striking example of long-term stewardship of nuclear byproducts — from its beginnings in 1959 through to planned closure by 2127, and full decommissioning by 2135.

The facility, managed by Nuclear Waste Services, operates vaults and legacy trenches, containerises waste in engineered concrete “bathtubs,” and is moving toward major milestones like capping vault 8 and the legacy trenches to secure protection across many generations.

🌳 What stands out is how Drigg balances rigorous safety engineering, regulatory oversight, and environmental care (including wildlife management and site monitoring), while adapting to external pressures — such as weather, coastal exposure, and evolving regulations. It demonstrates how nuclear waste infrastructure isn’t just about containment; it’s deeply about community trust, transparency, design for the far future, and the people who make all of this possible.

View the full article here.

Image taken from the above article, credit NWS

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