What Is Nuclear Waste?

When electricity is produced using a nuclear power plant, this generates nuclear waste, which – due to its radioactivity – demands special treatment.

Low-level and intermediate-level waste, also known as reactor waste, is generated during the operation and maintenance of a nuclear power plant. Some structures of the plant, such as the pressure vessel and the associated piping, become radioactive or are contaminated with radioactive substances. When the plant is closed down, all radiation-emitting waste must be disposed of. Both reactor waste and decommissioning waste are disposed of in the reactor waste repository. The nuclear power companies Teollisuuden Voima Oyj and Fortum Power and Heat Oy take care of their reactor waste and decommissioning waste themselves.

Nuclear power plants use uranium as their fuel. Fission products from uranium are extremely radioactive at first. Teollisuuden Voima Oyj and Fortum Power and Heat Oy established Posiva Oy in order to take care of their spent nuclear fuel. This fuel will be disposed of in the bedrock of the Olkiluoto island in  the municipality of Eurajoki.