The UK government’s policy for the long-term management of Higher Activity Waste (HAW) is geological disposal combined with safe and secure interim storage. The UK’s approach is based on community consent — a willing community must volunteer to host the facility.
Key features of the UK GDF programme:
- Managed by Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), a subsidiary of the NDA
- Based on the principle that geological disposal is the safest long-term solution
- The GDF will be constructed at a depth of 200—1000 metres
- Community partnerships are being established with interested areas
- The programme involves a multi-decade timeline
Low Level Waste in the UK is currently disposed of at the Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) near Drigg in Cumbria, although other disposal facilities are now permitted to receive such waste.