NDA examines options for higher activity waste

A NEW report examines how the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority can better integrate the management of higher activity waste from the clean-up of its sites in the UK, including Dounreay.

In Scotland, national policy is for the management of higher activity waste in near-surface facilities. In England and Wales, it is by geological disposal.

The report states it “is imperative that we ensure the very best use of these facilities as and when they become available”.

To that end it is suggested the higher activity waste strategy should move towards:

*Better application of the waste hierarchy including more characterisation, sorting, segregating, reuse and recycling.

*Consideration of more treatment options.

*Optimised selection of package and interim store designs.

*Greater integration across the estate, in particular by sharing treatment and interim storage assets and capabilities.

*Adoption of alternative options that mitigate risks associated with current reference strategies.

The integrated waste management draft strategy is available at www.nda.gov.uk

The programme is open to comment until February 24.