Application of Waste Package Specifications for Low Heat Generating Waste: Standardised Waste Container Designs
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-13)

This page describes standard package designs for Low Heat Generating Waste (LHGW).

Through Disposability Assessment and by working with waste producers, Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) has adopted a range of standardised waste package designs that are expected to meet waste package requirements and are therefore compatible with the GDF (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/gdf-geological-disposal-facility) Design.

Waste packagers are encouraged to use these standard waste package designs. Use of these designs will reduce the complexity of transport and handling systems, leading to potential safety, throughput and cost benefits.

To meet a particular demand, waste packagers can propose use of a new waste package design. Such proposals would be subject to meticulous assessment by NWS before the design is accepted to be within the DSS.

Standardised LHGW (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/creating-standardised-waste-packages) packages are categorised according to three package types:

1. Unshielded waste packages

Unshielded waste packages use the following standard designs of containers:

500-litre drums

Constructed typically from stainless steel. These are used to package mixed solid waste encapsulated into the drum, sludges and immobilised slurries, and grouted pucks of compacted soft waste. The image below shows a single drum on the left, and on the right it shows four drums placed in a stillage (rack) for transport to, and disposal in, a GDF.

Above, a single 500-litre drum on the left, with four drums placed in a transport stillage, or rack, on the right.

3-cubic-metre boxes

These are typically made of stainless steel and mostly used to package waste from decommissioned power stations and other nuclear facilities. There are two variants of this waste container shown in the image below.

Above, two drums measuring 3 cubic metres. One shows a side lifting mechanism and the other corner lifting.

3-cubic-metre drums

These are typically made of stainless steel and used to package sludges and slurries. The waste is encapsulated in grout within the drum using a paddle.

Above, a 3-cubic-metre drum

Miscellaneous Beta Gamma Waste Store (MBGWS) boxes

These are currently used to store LHGW items at the Sellafield site. MBGWS boxes are typically made from either mild or stainless steel.

Above, a Miscellaneous Beta Gamma Waste store box

2. Shielded waste packages

Shielded waste packages use the following standard designs of containers:

4-metre box

These are used to package large waste items from decommissioned power stations and other nuclear facilities. These waste containers are typically constructed from stainless steel and can include concrete radiation shielding.

Above, a 4-metre box

2-metre box

These are a half-length version of the 4-metre box and will also be used to package large items of decommissioning waste.

Above, a 2-metre box

6-cubic-metre concrete box

These are typically constructed from reinforced concrete. They are used to package a range of solid waste with the waste grouted into the waste container.

Above, a 6-metre box

500-litre and 1-cubic-metre concrete drums

These are intended for packaging a wide range of operational waste such as sludges, spent ion exchange resins, filters and mixed solid waste. The waste containers are typically made of reinforced concrete and can include a steel liner to give radiation shielding. The image shown below is for the 500-litre drum.

Above, a 500-litre concrete drum

3. Robust shielded waste packages

Robust shielded waste packages use the following standard designs of containers:

500-litre robust shielded drum

These are thick-walled containers typically made from ductile cast iron. The thick walls provide excellent radiation shielding as well as enhanced package performance. These waste containers are intended for packaging a range of solid waste items such as those from decommissioning power stations.

Above, a 500-litre robust shielded box

3-cubic-metre robust shielded box

These are similar to the robust shielded drums but have the capacity for packaging a larger quantity of waste.

Above, a 3-cubic-metre robust shielded box

See next: Application of Waste Package Specifications for Low Heat Generating Waste: Containment (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/application-of-waste-package-specifications-for-low-heat-generating-waste-containment)

See previous: Application of Waste Package Specifications for Low Heat Generating Waste (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/application-of-waste-package-specifications-for-low-heat-generating-waste)