UK plans a near-surface facility for the disposal of intermediate-level radioactive waste

Following a consultation held last year regarding the search for a site for a geological disposal facility (GDF) to provide permanent safe disposal of high and intermediate-level radioactive waste, the UK Department for Energy Security has now published its response and new strategy, which includes a near-surface disposal facility for intermediate-level waste. This kind of facility could be located up to 200 meters below the surface, could make use of existing structures, and could be constructed as silos or vaults that would likely consist of multiple barriers, including waste packages, grout, walls, backfill material, and reinforced caps over the closed silos and vaults that together would prevent rainwater from entering and any harmful amounts of radioactivity from escaping. According to the Department, the main advantages of this kind of facility are that it would be ready within 10 years and would allow for quicker decommissioning and savings of around GBP500 million in storage costs. It would also allow lightly contaminated rubble and substructures to be disposed of on-site, avoiding transporting tonnes of waste for disposal and reducing the environmental impact.