| Aspect | UK | Sweden / Finland | France | USA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site selection method | Community consent (voluntarism) | Technical assessment + community engagement | Parliamentary decision + local consultation | Congressional designation (Yucca Mountain) |
| Geology | Not yet determined | Granite (crystalline rock) | Clay (argillite) | Volcanic tuff (Yucca Mtn) / Salt (WIPP) |
| Waste form | Vitrified HLW + cemented ILW | Spent fuel in copper canisters | Vitrified HLW + ILW packages | Spent fuel assemblies (planned) |
| Reprocessing policy | Historically yes (Sellafield); now ceased | No (direct disposal of spent fuel) | Yes (La Hague reprocessing plant) | No (once-through cycle) |
| Progress | Early stage — community partnerships | Sweden: construction approved; Finland: operational | Design phase; ~2035 operational target | Yucca Mountain halted; WIPP operational for military TRU |
Lesson 6 ◆ 6.13 International Comparison of Disposal Routes