Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), which operates the UK’s low level waste repository in Cumbria, is preparing 260 containers of nuclear waste for final emplacement in disposal vaults.
Most radioactive waste arising in the UK is low level or very low level. NWS delivers solutions for this waste, including at the low level waste repository as a resource for low level waste disposal.
This nuclear licensed site enables the safe, compliant, and effective management of low level waste materials needing disposal in engineered vaults.
This latest programme of grout infilling, sealing and securing containers of nuclear waste follows a programme of refurbishments at the site and will take over five months to complete.
The 260 containers full of low level radioactive waste – which could include a wide range of materials, predominantly from the decommissioning of nuclear facilities – will be encapsulated in a cement based grout to form a monolithic block.
Following this work, containers will be ready for final disposal and will be placed in concrete vaults at the repository, where they will remain.
Ahead of this work, NWS made improvements to the grouting facility at the site, including replacing old equipment, introducing new technology and improving the building’s infrastructure.
Russell Beckwith, operations manager at the low level waste repository, said: “Safety is our priority. Moving forward with this work takes the waste to its final disposal destination, helping us to achieve our goals of making the waste permanently safe, sooner. The UK has been producing and managing radioactive waste for many decades and will continue to do so for many more. Our goal is to ensure that waste disposed of both safely and securely and in a way that is sustainable and protects people and the environment. The improvements and refurbishments at the facility will enable us to complete this work to the highest standard and with maximum efficiency.”