Conversion of radioactive waste into glass begins at WA's Hanford site

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Sixteen years after the original deadline, the Hanford nuclear reservation in south-central Washington state is finally converting its worst radioactive waste into a benign glass.

Glassification began Saturday evening, but the U.S. Department of Energy did not announce that the process was underway until Wednesday.

“As the world’s largest radioactive waste treatment facility, the plant’s successful startup represents a crucial achievement at this scale, demonstrating the ability to stabilize nuclear waste for safe, long-term disposal,” said Ray Geimer, Department of Energy’s Hanford manager.

Lawmakers in Washington’s congressional delegation applauded the milestone.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/10/15/conversion-of-radioactive-waste-into-glass-begins-at-was-hanford-site/

[frisbee7]

1. Easier to handle and transport ... Yes

But benign? This is plutonium we're talking about.

The half-life of plutonium-239 is approximately 24,110 years, while plutonium-240 has a half-life of about 6,560 years.

So do the math.