Written by: Kamal Husein D., Hanina A. C., & Safina A. I.
Designed by: Aisyah Zahra Andini
What do you think of when you first hear the word Nuclear waste? You may imagine it as something vile and dangerous that you may not want to be associated with. But what if we told you that this “waste” could be helpful in the long run and that it’s just stored somewhere sucking up funds? You probably would not believe that. But to make sense of the question let’s dig deeper into what exactly nuclear waste is and how it might change the game.
Nuclear waste is a hazardous byproduct of nuclear activities that contains radioactive material usually sourced from nuclear reactors, fuel processing plants, hospitals, research facilities, and nuclear decommissioning. Its radioactive nature makes Nuclear waste unique; it can remain dangerous for thousands of years. This is what often makes nuclear waste a subject of fear and concern for the public. The idea of highly radioactive material stored beneath the earth’s surface or in specialized facilities may sound alarming. Still there, is much more to nuclear waste than what meets the eye. If managed properly, nuclear waste can potentially play a transformative role in energy and technology.
To understand how nuclear waste could be beneficial, it is essential to grasp its classification first. According to the World Nuclear Association, Nuclear waste is generally divided into three different levels: low-level, intermediate-level, and high-level wastes. Low-level waste contains 1% radioactivity and makes up to 90% of the total volume, which includes tools and work clothing. Intermediate-level wastes mostly come from the nuclear reactor components, which make up 7% of the total volume of nuclear waste and contain 4% of radioactivity. High-level waste is the most hazardous radioactive remains of all. Though it accounts for only 3% of total volume, it contains 95% of total radioactivity alone.
Nuclear waste could be recycled in some way or another in this world. One such possibility is a repurposing of spent nuclear fuel and its reconditioning for further use. Some of the latest advanced nuclear reactors, including fast breeder reactors, have the ability to reuse spent nuclear fuel in their generation of energy. These reactors can further utilize energy sources by recycling plutonium and uranium from waste, as well as decreasing the total radioactivity of the waste. Altogether, this process is called the “Closed Nuclear Fuel Cycle”. It expands the use of existing materials in nuclear reactions but also encompasses a solution to the storage problem in atomic reactions where some isotopes are incredibly long-lived. Several countries around the globe, such as France, Russia, and Japan, are already recycling their nuclear fuel wastes. The benefits of a closed nuclear waste cycle are clear: it adds to long-term energy security by reducing dependence on imported fuel, conserves uranium resources, and reduces the amount of high-level radioactive waste that must be disposed of.
Despite its potential, there are significant challenges to reusing and repurposing nuclear waste. One of the primary hurdles is public perception. The fear surrounding anything “nuclear” often leads to resistance against policies and technologies related to nuclear energy and waste management. Furthermore, the infrastructure and technology required for reprocessing are still under development in many parts of the world, and they cost a huge amount of money. International cooperation and investment will be essential to unlock the full potential of nuclear waste.
To truly benefit from nuclear waste, a shift in mindset is needed. Instead of viewing it solely as a problem, society must begin to see it as an opportunity. Governments and organizations must invest in research and development to improve waste management and recycling technologies. If countries such as France, Russia, and Japan can utilize the technology, why can’t others follow?
References:
David B. Olawade, Oluwaseun Fapohunda, Ojima Z. Wada, Sunday O. Usman, Abimbola O. Ige, Olawale Ajisafe, Bankole I. Oladapo, Smart waste management: A paradigm shift enabled by artificial intelligence, Waste Management Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 2, 2024, Pages 244-263, n ISSN 2949-7507, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949750724000385
Japanese waste and MOX shipments from Europe. (n.d.). World Nuclear Association. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/transport-of-nuclear-materials/japanese-waste-and-mox-shipments-from-europe
Nuclear Essentials. (n.d.). World Nuclear Association. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://world-nuclear.org/nuclear-essentials/what-is-nuclear-waste-and-what-do-we-do-with-it
Processing of Used Nuclear Fuel. (2024, August 23). World Nuclear Association. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/fuel-recycling/processing-of-used-nuclear-fuel
Radioactive Waste Management. (n.d.). World Nuclear Association. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-waste/radioactive-waste-management
Sanford, A., & Hughes, K. (2024, March 11). Nuclear power in your pocket? 50-year battery innovation. CAS.org. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://www.cas.org/resources/cas-insights/nuclear-power-your-pocket-50-year-battery-innovation
Spent Fuel Management: Four decades of research. (n.d.). IAEA. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/spent-fuel-management-four-decades-of-research
