Why Reprocess To Reuse Is Critical For Nuclear Waste

Reprocessing nuclear fuel is viewed across the globe as a solution to the problems related to high-level nuclear waste. It is seen as an alternative to deep geological storage or interim, surface level storage. 

While nuclear energy is a large source of energy across the world, there is still the problem of nuclear waste, especially in the United States. Deep geological repositories are the default answer to this problem, but so far none have been constructed in the entire world. Another answer might lie in nuclear reprocessing. 

While most call spent nuclear fuel, “nuclear waste”, it can actually be a source of further energy creation. Some countries like France, Russia, and India have already caught onto the process. The United States, under President Carter, banned reprocessing because of proliferation fears, but later the ban was overturned. But in 2021, there is still no move on the part of the U.S. government to head in this direction.

Russia is ahead of the game, with it being the only country to use depleted uranium in their nuclear reactions.