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LLW Strategy
The UK Strategy for the Management of Solid Low Level Radioactive Waste from the Nuclear Industry has been prepared for the UK Government and devolved administrations by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) in response to the UK policy on the management of solid low level radioactive waste. The aim is to provide a high level framework within which low level radioactive waste (LLW) management decisions can be taken flexibly to ensure safe, environmentally acceptable and cost-effective management solutions.
The NDA are responsible for the decommissioning and clean-up of the UK's civil public sector nuclear sites. This strategy is primarily aimed at nuclear industry waste producers (current and future), environmental regulators and waste planning bodies. It is also relevant to non-nuclear industry waste producers, waste management facility operators and suppliers of waste treatment services. The strategy will also be of interest to other parties potentially affected by Low Level Waste (LLW) management, for example communities where waste is managed.
Central to the strategy is the implementation of the waste hierarchy in the management of LLW, which will support the provision of continued capability and capacity for managing LLW in the UK. Three strategic themes have guided the development of this strategy:
II. Best use of existing LLW management assets;
III. Need for new fit-for-purpose waste management routes.
The strategy advocates the application of the waste hierarchy, with a preference for managing LLW at higher levels, where practicable (i.e. waste prevention, reuse, recycling). We believe that this approach will facilitate continued waste management, hazard reduction and decommissioning operations. Using a broader number of options for managing LLW rather than focusing on disposal will lead to continued capability and capacity for the safe, secure and environmentally responsible management, treatment and disposal of LLW in the UK, for both the nuclear and non-nuclear industries.
We have developed this strategy working with our LLW strategic partner, LLW Repository Ltd, and other stakeholders. The UK’s only management route for certain LLW, and the only facility in the UK that can accept a wide range of LLW from numerous waste producers, is the Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR). Its continued availability is considered vital by both nuclear industry and non-nuclear industry LLW producers.
The majority of LLW continues to be consigned to LLWR; therefore, this strategic asset has a strong influence on both this strategy and how LLW waste is managed nationally. The UK will generate significantly more LLW than the potential disposal capacity at LLWR, which means there is a need for alternative ways to manage LLW, including treatment and where necessary, the use of alternative disposal routes.
In parallel with the development of this strategy, Government has been developing a strategy for the management of LLW from the non-nuclear industry. These strategies will be suitably integrated in order to operate effectively together.
LLW Strategy Development Process
The attached document shows the process that were followed to develop the UK Strategy for the Management of Solid Low Level Radioactive Waste from the Nuclear Industry and the supporting elements.
Low Level Waste Strategy - Development Process (PDF)
