definition
strict definition
nuclear waste storage
Bulk storage of spent nuclear fuels and waste from nuclear power or nuclear weapons production.
Nuclear waste storage facilities are places for bulk storage of spent nuclear fuels and for waste byproducts of nuclear power and nuclear weapons production. The material in these sites is generally radioactive and extremely hazardous, and facilities must be built with extreme precautions to prevent security breaches, human or animal exposure, or environmental harm.
Both spent fuel and other waste byproducts are included. Nuclear weapons production is included alongside civilian nuclear-power activity.
Nuclear fuel storage concerns unspent fuel. A material's radioactivity alone does not determine which of these two storage purposes applies.
Related definitions
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compost storage
Storage of organic waste kept to biodegrade into soil or soil-like matter, including plant waste, food waste, and manure. -
drainage storage
Storage of overflow water collected from roof drainage, land drainage, or irrigation systems. -
garbage storage
Space for intermediate storage of general waste materials including trash and mixed waste. -
junk storage
Storage of used-up or discarded objects kept separate from organic or dirty mixed waste, potentially for salvage or resale. -
recycling storage
Storage of discarded materials held for later recycling, including organic waste that is not being composted. -
sewage storage
Facilities that hold sewage, including septic tanks and storage before treatment.