Information 1

Management strategies
History of radioactive waste in the UK

Thes information is a summary only. More details are available from the NIREX web resources.

1940s

Start of nuclear weapons programme.

Sea dumping of LLW (now banned).

LLW disposal at Drigg commenced.

1950s

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) set up to oversee developments.

First commercial power reactors built.

1970s

British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL) set up for fuel manufacture and reprocessing.

Ministry of Defence takes responsibility for weapons production, UKAEA becomes wholly civilian.

Government advised to restrict nuclear power until safe management system for radioactive waste had been found.

Management responsibility passed to Department for the Environment.

1980s

Nirex formed to provide radioactive waste disposal services for LLW and ILW. Public resistance to near-surface disposal led to focus on deep geologic disposal.

Government focus on deep disposal at just two sites: Sellafield and Dounreay.

1990s

Newest power reactor comes on line.

Privatisation of electricity industry - including more modern reactors. Older reactors owned by BNFL which, in turn, is owned by state.

Decommissioning of old reactors started by UKAEA.

Plans for an underground research laboratory at Sellafield scrapped. House of Lords recommends government should "seek to build public consensus before attempting to implement its chosen policy".

2001

Government has published a consultation paper for dealing with options for radioactive waste management.

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Source: Galson Sciences Limited

1940s	Start of nuclear weapons programme. Sea dumping of LLW (now banned). LLW disposal at Drigg commenced.
1950s	UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) set up to oversee developments. First commercial power reactors built.
1970s	British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL) set up for fuel manufacture and reprocessing. Ministry of Defence takes responsibility for weapons production, UKAEA becomes wholly civilian. Government advised to restrict nuclear power until safe management system for radioactive waste had been found. Management responsibility passed to Department for the Environment.
1980s	Nirex formed to provide radioactive waste disposal services for LLW and ILW. Public resistance to near-surface disposal led to focus on deep geologic disposal. Government focus on deep disposal at just two sites: Sellafield and Dounreay.
1990s	Newest power reactor comes on line. Privatisation of electricity industry - including more modern reactors. Older reactors owned by BNFL which, in turn, is owned by state. Decommissioning of old reactors started by UKAEA. Plans for an underground research laboratory at Sellafield scrapped. House of Lords recommends government should "seek to build public consensus before attempting to implement its chosen policy".
2001	Government has published a consultation paper for dealing with options for radioactive waste management.