Nuclear energy is crucial for the future of energy, offering a key solution to combat climate change by providing carbon-free power. With prominent advocates like Bill Gates and Elon Musk, the scientific community agrees that nuclear power is one of the most reliable ways to achieve carbon neutrality. Yet, public discourse about nuclear energy often highlights concerns over accidents, cost, and especially nuclear waste. But what if we told you that nuclear waste is the best type of waste?
Like any industry, nuclear energy produces waste, but its waste is more controlled and easier to manage compared to other sectors. The waste produced by nuclear technology comes not only from energy production but also from hospitals, research labs, and the military. There are three categories: low, intermediate, and high-level waste. Interestingly, 90% of nuclear waste is low-level, consisting mostly of lightly contaminated materials like tools and clothing, which contribute only 1% of the total radioactivity.
Even high-level waste, which contains 95% of radioactivity, is minimal. All the spent fuel ever produced in the U.S. could fit on a single football field. Contrary to popular belief, spent nuclear fuel isn’t green, glowing goo but a solid material stored safely in cooling pools and eventually dry casks.
It’s important to put nuclear waste into perspective. Yes, it is radioactive, but it’s extremely manageable compared to the waste from other energy sources. For example, fossil fuels kill far more people. According to a Harvard study, air pollution from burning coal and other fossil fuels causes 1 in 6 human deaths worldwide—primarily through lung disease.
Nuclear waste, on the other hand, has never directly harmed anyone in the energy industry. The waste is stored safely, and the storage fees are paid upfront, making it a well-regulated process. In fact, storing high-level waste is relatively simple: a few feet of granite are enough to shield radiation effectively. Unlike waste from other industries, nuclear waste actually becomes less dangerous over time as it decays.
Additionally, the majority of spent fuel can be recycled—up to 94% of it! While some countries reprocess spent nuclear fuel to reduce waste even further, others like the U.S. opt for long-term storage solutions. No other industry comes close to cleaning up its waste as effectively. For example, solar panels generate a significant amount of toxic waste during their lifecycle, yet receive little attention for it.
It’s also crucial to separate nuclear power from the mistakes made in the military’s weapons programs during WWII and the Cold War. The energy industry has made tremendous strides in safety and efficiency, with no link between modern nuclear power plants and the accidents associated with nuclear weapons. In fact, no serious harm has ever come from nuclear waste produced by power plants.
Nuclear waste is not a reason to fear or oppose nuclear energy. In fact, compared to the waste and death toll of fossil fuels, nuclear waste is far more manageable and has a much smaller impact on human health and the environment. As technology improves, waste management becomes even more efficient, and new reactors will further reduce the amount of waste produced. When it comes to sustainability and safety, nuclear energy is one of the best options we have for a cleaner future.