(b) Measuring Methods: For radioactive waste from nuclear cycles in
packaged/conditioned form, the volume should be the actual volume in m
3
as recorded
in the appropriate waste package registry; and for spent fuel, in tHM. For radioactive
waste not yet in conditioned form, the volumes used should be those based on the
conditioning method assumed the most likely to be used later for disposal. The
indicator can be developed at three levels according to the definition of boundaries: (i)
at the plant level, (ii) at the generating system level and (iii) at the overall fuel cycle
or energy system level. At the plant level, the indicator provides a tool to weigh the
environmental sustainability of innovative technologies, especially with respect to
innovative nuclear reactors and fuel cycles. At this level, the indicator is readily
defined by the technical specifications unique to each technology. At the generating
system level, the indicator considers the net waste after reprocessing or any other
processes that either increase or reduce the net radioactive waste. At the overall fuel
cycle level, the indicator assesses the overall waste generation from front end to back
end, including all intermediate processes, and through time from start-up to
decommissioning. At this level, the measuring of the environmental sustainability is
the most comprehensive, but the measuring method remains to be fully defined. The
indicator is defined, for each waste type and for each industry or activity, as the ratio
of solid radioactive waste to energy produced. The waste is normalized with respect to
the amount of energy produced in a selected period of time (several years or for the
life of the facility).
Efforts are necessary worldwide for the identification, measuring and monitoring of
radioactive waste generated from non-nuclear activities and processes. Appropriate
recommended standards, targets and measuring methods need to be developed for the
effective management of the radioactive waste generated from these sources.
