Nuclear reprocessing* reduces the radioactivity and volume of spent nuclear waste. It is a major step toward conservation of resources and protection of the planet.
Reprocessing can occur on the site of current nuclear reactors. This will prevent large amounts of radioactive material from being unnecessarily transported across the country. It also ensures that the material remains in a secure location.
Methods exist to ensure that plutonium, from certain types of reprocessing, cannot be used to create nuclear weapons. Instead, this plutonium can only be used for peaceful energy production.
The majority of the long term radioactivity, and volume, of spent nuclear fuel comes from actinides. Removing the actinides produces waste that is more compact, and not nearly as dangerous. These actinides are then used as fuel in fast breeder nuclear reactors.
Nuclear reprocessing may be the answer to solving the problem of nuclear waste. This process conserves resources by reducing the need to mine radioactive ores.
* Nuclear reprocessing information from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 1/14/2007.