Detailed guide: Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) – about us
Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) is a public organisation established by government and responsible for planning and delivering geological disposal in the UK.
We collaborate with scientists around the world on multi-million pound research programmes, sharing the latest scientific advances and best practice. We also work with the producers of radioactive waste to find ways to package it that are suitable for disposal in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF).
Our vision is to create a safer future by managing radioactive waste effectively, to protect people and the environment.
30 years of scientific research and development
The RWM team includes scientists and engineers with over 30 years’ experience in carrying out research and development to support geological disposal, supported by community engagement specialists.
Our organisation is a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), a public sector organisation tasked by the UK government with the safe and efficient clean-up of Britain’s civil nuclear legacy.
There is international consensus that the safest permanent solution to manage higher activity radioactive waste is geological disposal, which involves putting the waste in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) beneath several hundred metres of solid rock.
This is already the chosen approach in countries including Canada, Finland, France, Sweden and Switzerland. Some of these countries are well on the way to developing their own GDFs.
A Geological Disposal Facility (GDF)
How does geological disposal work?
Geological disposal is possible thanks to world-class engineering, science and technology. This involves:
isolating the radioactive waste in sealed vaults and tunnels deep underground, between 200 m and 1000 m below the surface
containing the radioactivity while it decays naturally over time
preventing radioactivity from ever reaching the surface in levels that could cause harm
Solid radioactive waste is packaged in secure engineered containers, typically made of metal or concrete, and then placed in a stable rock formation hundreds of metres below the surface, with the containers surrounded by clay or cement. This is called the multi-barrier approach.
The multi-barrier concept
In addition, a GDF:
requires no ongoing maintenance
is less vulnerable than surface storage to human activities such as terrorism or war
is less vulnerable than surface storage to natural processes such as climate change
Watch our video that shows how a GDF will be implemented.
After the waste has been placed into a GDF, deep underground and away from people and the environment, it will eventually be permanently sealed to provide safety without the need for further action.
Alternatives to geological disposal have been carefully considered and we continue to keep options under review. At present, they are all either not technically achievable (for example: converting the waste to non-radioactive material), not environmentally safe (for example: disposal at sea or in ice sheets), or too dangerous to implement (for example: firing the waste into space on rockets).
Unsuitable waste disposal methods
Next steps
We are looking for a suitable site to implement geological disposal safely, with a willing community who will work in partnership with us, as part of an agreed vision for the future.
Planning for geological disposal will take between 15 to 20 years. Independent regulators will ensure that all processes have been followed to their satisfaction. Only then can construction start.
If you have any questions our scientists and engineers are on hand to answer any technical queries you may have. Please email us at gdfenquiries@nda.gov.uk
To understand in more detail what will go into a GDF, what it will look like and what the multi-barrier approach is, please read more in the downloadable science files below.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a
version of this document in a more accessible format, please email rwmfeedback@nda.gov.uk.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a
version of this document in a more accessible format, please email rwmfeedback@nda.gov.uk.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a
version of this document in a more accessible format, please email rwmfeedback@nda.gov.uk.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Detailed guide: Communities and GDF
Your voice matters
This year, we’ll be starting a process to find a site for a safe Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for radioactive waste in the UK. Communities will be right at the heart of the siting process for a GDF and a facility will be built where both a suitable site AND a willing community are selected.
The process of finding a site will take between 15 to 20 years. Then, only following a positive test of public support and after the relevant permissions from the independent regulators have been obtained, can construction start.
This process is consent-based and communities will be able to work in partnership with us from the beginning, so that people will have the opportunity to create a future that works for them.
As our commitment to interested communities, we will:
cover the costs for communities engaged in the process
invest up to £1 million per year in communities who enter the siting process
also, invest up to £2.5 million per year in communities where deep borehole investigations take place
support economic growth by employing an average of 550 people in any given year throughout the operational lifetime of the project, with skills training, supply chain opportunities and infrastructure investment
enable a long-lasting economic and social legacy for future generations
The operational timeline of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF)
The role of government
In 2014 the UK government and Northern Ireland Executive set out a renewed approach to finding a site to host a GDF in their Implementing Geological Disposal White Paper. In it, the UK government committed to help interested communities understand more about hosting a geological disposal facility and engaging with confidence in the processes involved.
Building on this commitment, the UK government is now consulting on proposed policy on how communities should be engaged in a siting process for a geological disposal facility for higher activity radioactive waste.
In 2015 the Welsh Government set out its Policy on the Management and Disposal of Higher Activity Radioactive Waste, similar to that adopted in England and Northern Ireland. The Welsh Government is now consulting on the proposed policy on how communities in Wales should be engaged in a siting process for a GDF.
If you want to learn more about GDF and the role of communities in the siting process, please get in touch by emailing gdfenquiries@nda.gov.uk and one of our team will get back to you.
Following the government’s consultations and final policy statements, we will also be publishing ‘Guidance to Communities’, which will contain helpful and more in-depth information on how to engage in the siting process.
Notice: IP26 4RJ, Nova Farming Ltd: environmental permit application advertisement
The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement
These notices explain:
what the application is about
how you can view the application documents
when you need to comment by
The Environment Agency will decide:
whether to grant or refuse the application
what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)
The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement
These notices explain:
what the application is about
how you can view the application documents
when you need to comment by
The Environment Agency will decide:
whether to grant or refuse the application
what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)
