The non-radiological environmental hazards of nuclear power include those of any large-scale industry:
- Mining: The front end of the fuel cycle involves mining uranium ores. This has environmental impacts similar to other mining operations (land disturbance, dust, water contamination) in addition to the radiological consequences.
- Construction: Building a nuclear power station is resource-intensive, requiring large up-front expenditure of materials, energy, and land.
- Thermal discharge: Like all thermal power stations, nuclear plants discharge waste heat, often into rivers or the sea.
- Visual and landscape impact: Nuclear power stations are large structures and may affect the local landscape.