How much waste is already stored at ANSTO?
ANSTO holds about 1 250m3 of LLW and short-lived intermediate level waste, including items such as laboratory equipment, lightly contaminated clothing, paper and glassware. ANSTO holds a small amount of long-lived intermediate level waste, including target cans, alumina columns, used control arms, aluminium end pieces, solidified liquid waste primarily from reactor operation and research and radiopharmaceutical production. In addition, about 165 m3 of historic thorium residues, principally from mineral sands processing and uranium oxide residues are held at ANSTO. Most of ANSTO’s wastes are low level, but small quantities of intermediate level wastes are also generated. Typically, ANSTO produces 150 drums (200L capacity) a year of low level solid waste, 2 cubic meters of solid intermediate level waste, 500 litres of intermediate level liquid waste.
