What is radioactive waste
Radioactive waste is radioactive material that has no further use. It emits radiation.
Types of radiation
We encounter radiation in the natural environment. Natural sources of radiation include soil, rocks, water, air and vegetation.
Radiation can also be human made. We use radiation in processes we rely on every day, such as x-rays and CT scans.
Radiation is energy travelling from one place to another in the form of waves or particles. Usually, radiation poses little to no health hazards, but it depends on the type and amount of radiation.
There are 2 main types of radiation.
Non-ionising radiation
This type of radiation transmits energy but is not energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or molecules.
Sources include:
- UV radiation from the sun
- extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation from powerlines
- electro-magnetic radiation in microwave ovens
- radiofrequency energy that mobile phone systems use.
Ionising radiation
This is more powerful than non-ionising radiation. It can remove an electron from an atom to change the chemical structure of a material, including DNA. This makes it potentially harmful to humans. This is why we need to manage it properly.
Sources include:
- cosmic radiation, which increases at altitude (for example, travelling in a plane)
- natural materials like uranium and thorium in rocks
- naturally occurring radioactive elements in foods like bananas and brazil nuts
- medical radiation from x-rays and CT scans.
Types of radioactive waste
Radioactive waste contains radioactivity above the levels defined in federal or state and territory legislation. It can be categorised by:
- the origin of the radionuclides
- the sector or organisation that produced the waste
- its radiochemical characteristics
- handling approach
- disposal route.
We can classify this waste into 3 categories depending on how much radiation it emits.
Low-level radioactive waste
Emits small amounts of radioactivity. It usually needs minimal shielding during handling, transport and storage.
Examples include gloves, gowns and clothes scientists and doctors use when producing and administering nuclear medicines.
Intermediate-level radioactive waste
Emits higher levels of radiation and needs extra shielding.
Examples include:
- waste from nuclear medicine production
- some of the waste from operating the OPAL nuclear research reactor in Sydney.
High-level radioactive waste
Contains levels of radioactivity high enough to generate significant amounts of heat during the radioactive decay process.
Where radioactive waste comes from in Australia
Most radioactive waste in Australia comes from common processes and procedures that use nuclear science.
Nuclear technology uses and produces radioactive materials that emit ionising radiation. Researchers and medical professionals use these to improve the health of Australians through nuclear medicine. For example, to:
- diagnose lung, heart and musculoskeletal conditions
- treat specific types of cancers.
On average, every Australian will benefit from 2 nuclear medicine procedures in their lifetime.
Many other industries use nuclear science, technologies and instruments, such as:
- agriculture
- defence
- mining
- manufacturing
- environmental science.
For example, to:
- improve crops and fertiliser use
- test materials and, in the future, power submarines
- measure pollutants in air, soil and water
- enhance components of green technologies like electric vehicles and wind turbines
- study climate change and monitor water sources.
How Australia stores and disposes of radioactive waste
Australia doesn't have a facility to store or dispose of radioactive waste. It is stored in over 100 temporary facilities across Australia, including:
- the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
- hospitals
- universities
- research labs
- industrial and defence sites.
While this is safe for now, it needs ongoing active management to keep it safe and is not a permanent solution. National and international best practice is to consolidate radioactive waste in more appropriate facilities designed to provide protection for the long term.
Australia has a responsibility to manage its radioactive waste.
Here are some things we need to consider as part of longer-term solutions:
- Some low-level waste can be contained and stored until radiation levels naturally fall under specified thresholds. It can then be discarded in the same way as other rubbish.
- Some low-level waste can remain hazardous for up to a few hundred years. It needs specialised monitoring, storage and disposal methods.
- Intermediate-level waste is more radioactive and can stay radioactive for much longer. It needs specially designed storage and disposal methods that provide a greater level of protection and reflect longer timescales.
How much radioactive waste we have for disposal
Australia currently has around 5,000 cubic metres or 1,765 tonnes of radioactive waste. If visualised, this would be the size of a cube that’s around 17m on each side, or roughly 40 buses’ worth. We expect about another 50 buses’ worth in the future. This excludes uranium mining wastes companies have already disposed at mine sites.
Australia generates less radioactive waste than many other countries. For example, Canada’s volume of radioactive waste is over 550 times larger than Australia’s.
In comparison, Australia generated 6.5 million tonnes (Mt) of other hazardous waste in financial year 2022–23 alone.
ARWA takes a national inventory of radioactive waste every 3 years to:
- help us understand the amount and type of radioactive waste in Australia
- forecast how much there will be in the future
- inform government planning and policy.
We collect information that waste holders volunteer to us.
Who is responsible for managing Australia’s radioactive waste
ARWA leads the safe, secure and sustainable long-term management of Australia’s radioactive waste.
They work to:
ARWA works with a range of stakeholders including government agencies, international bodies and radioactive waste holders and producers to determine the best possible radioactive waste solutions.
