An option for geographical disposal
of ILW
No facilities for disposing of LLW not suitable for near-surface disposal, ILW and HLW have been developed – these wastes are currently stored.
In 2001 the Managing Radioactive Waste Safely (MRWS) programme was initiated by the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations to take a fresh look at management policy of the UK's higher activity wastes that include LLW not suitable for near-surface disposal, ILW and HLW. The MRWS programme also takes into consideration some radioactive materials that are not classified as wastes in the UK. These materials include uranium, plutonium and some spent nuclear fuel associated with civil nuclear activities. They have potential value: uranium and plutonium can be used to make nuclear fuel, and spent nuclear fuel can be reprocessed to recover uranium and plutonium for reuse. However, some or all of these materials might be declared surplus to requirements in the future. If so, they would need to be managed as higher activity wastes, and packaged in a way suitable for geological disposal. Radioactive materials that are not deemed to be waste are not reported in the UK Radioactive Waste Inventory, but summary information is provided in a separate document that is published with the Inventory.
An option for geographical disposal
of HLW
An independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) was appointed to make recommendations for the long-term management of UK's higher activity wastes that would protect the public and the environment, and inspire public confidence. The challenge in managing these wastes is that, as they remain a potential hazard for thousands of years, their radioactivity must be isolated from people and the environment for this length of time.
CoRWM reported in 2006 with a package of recommendations including geological disposal, preceded by safe and secure interim storage. The UK Government has accepted that secure interim storage is essential, and has consulted on a framework for implementing geological disposal.
In principle, the UK Government sees no case for having separate facilities for HLW and ILW (including the relatively small volume of LLW not suitable for near-surface disposal) if one facility can be developed to provide suitable, safe containment for the waste inventory. There is no reason why this should not be technically possible, although the final decision would be made in the light of site specific environmental, safety and security assessments, the latest technical and scientific information, and international best practice.
The UK Government is looking to use an approach based on voluntarism and partnership with local communities, coupled with the use of appropriate site screening and assessment criteria as the basis for siting a geological disposal facility. Overseas experience suggests that such an approach is likely to be an effective way of addressing the concerns of communities about hosting such a facility.
The UK Government has invited communities to express an interest in taking part in the process that will ultimately provide a site for a geological disposal facility. The NDA is the implementing organisation, responsible for planning and delivering the geological disposal facility and, as part of this process, will engage with communities and other stakeholders.
The NDA and its agents will have the responsibility for securing the necessary regulatory and planning permissions involving the host community and planning authorities as necessary.
CoRWM has been re-constituted in 2007, with modified terms of reference and expertise in its membership, to scrutinise the future MRWS programme and its implementation on behalf of UK Government and to provide it with independent advice on the programme.
Further information on CoRWM work and progress on the MRWS consultation process are from the CoRWM website www.corwm.org.uk (also see the website of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra, www.defra.gov.uk, and the NDA website, www.nda.gov.uk).
