US: Hanford facility starts solidifying nuclear waste into glass

The Hanford Site in Washington state has commenced operations to vitrify nuclear waste at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP), marking a significant milestone in addressing the environmental hazards posed by legacy tank waste. Bechtel, which designed, built, and commissioned the WTP for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), began feeding radioactive waste and glass-forming materials into large melters where the mixture is heated above 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This process transforms the waste into stable glass logs, which are then poured into stainless-steel containers for safe, long-term disposal. The vitrification technique is seen as a critical step in protecting the Columbia River, local communities, and future generations from contamination. The WTP is the world’s largest radioactive waste treatment facility and is expected to process about 5,300 gallons of tank waste daily. The project reflects decades of collaboration among the DOE, state authorities, labor partners, and scientific experts. Despite recent leadership changes within the DOE that