A long-term solution
The independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) reported to the UK Government that a GDF is the best available long term solution for the UK’s most radioactive nuclear waste.
It involves isolating the waste deep underground in suitable geological formations and placing it in highly engineered vaults and tunnels. These engineered barriers work together with the natural rock to contain and isolate the radioactive waste.
It will be constructed 200 to 1,000 metres below ground or beneath the seabed and be sealed for permanent disposal. At this depth, waste will be protected from natural events such as earthquakes and long-term environmental change such as future ice ages or sea level rises.
This passive safety approach requires no human intervention. It will keep the waste safe and secure over the many thousands of years it will take for the radioactivity to naturally reduce, protecting both current and future generations.
Who are Nuclear Waste Services?
Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is part of the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and is responsible for safely managing the UK’s radioactive waste. Bringing together the best of the UK’s expertise in radioactive waste management, NWS provides end-to-waste solutions and leads the development of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for the permanent, safe disposal of higher-activity waste.
International GDF programmes
GDFs are internationally recognised by governments, technical experts, and scientists as the best solution for the safe, permanent disposal of our most hazardous radioactive waste and progress is being made around the world.
Several countries are advancing their own GDF programmes:
Finland: Construction of ‘Onkalo’ facility underway with community support
Sweden: Forsmark site selected with backing from Osthammar and Oskarshamm communities
France: ANDRA preparing applications for the Cigeo facility
Switzerland and Canada: Developing implementation plans
Whilst other countries with GDF programmes have alternative approaches, that reflect their own experience, the inventory they are managing, as well as their governance and regulatory frameworks, these programmes are providing valuable insights and informing the progress being made in the UK.
Safety is the foundation of the site selection process
The process for finding a suitable site considers safety at every step.
Detailed investigations of potential sites will be made to ensure a GDF can be constructed, operated, and closed safely and securely.
NWS’s Site Evaluation studies focus on six factors to establish suitability: safety and security, community, environment, engineering feasibility, transport, and value for money.
This will inform NWS’ decision about which communities to take forward to the next stage of the siting process – known as Site Characterisation. This stage includes detailed investigations such as deep borehole drilling to understand the geology underground.
Building a GDF needs regulatory permission
The information gathered from these studies goes into the applications for regulatory permissions to build a GDF.
NWS will need to demonstrate how the GDF will meet the UK’s high standards of safety, security and environmental protection throughout its lifetime.
To do this, it will develop and maintain a number of safety cases, which include operational safety, environmental safety, transport (managed by Nuclear Transport Solutions), and security plans. These safety cases, plus design specifications, site suitability and the scientific evidence are examined by the Office for Nuclear Regulation and Environment Agency, the UK’s independent nuclear regulators.
A GDF will only be built if the site will be safe and secure during its construction and operation, and it meets all the regulators’ requirements.
Looking for more information?
You can find further help and advice on these independent regulators’ websites:
You can also find information about the government’s independent advisors on radioactive waste management, the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management, (CoRWM).