Because it will remain radioactive for thousands of years, TRU waste presents unique problems. DOE stores most TRU waste in a method that allows for easy retrieval. To protect the groundwater under storage areas, the waste is placed in containers and stacked on concrete pads. These containers are then enclosed in a protective vinyl cover and the area is backfilled with soil providing stable storage. The containers can be easily retrieved for future processing and disposal.
Some transuranic waste is stored on asphalt pads in drums.
The cut-open drums in the photograph above show typical transuranic waste items. The majority of DOE's solid low-level waste is disposed at selected sites using proven landfilling techniques. Some liquid, low-level waste is mixed with fly ash and poured into metal containers. Once the waste has hardened, the drums are placed in concrete vaults where they await final disposal. Solidified liquid low-level waste that cannot be disposed in existing facilities is stored in steel drums inside concrete vaults.