Plutonium - safely processing a can of plutonium residue into a stable waste form for the very first time.

significant step toward permanently disposing of the nation’s plutonium
legacy. The UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group has
delivered a UK-first nuclear safety milestone, by safely processing a can
of plutonium residue into a stable waste form for the very first time. This
breakthrough marks a significant step toward permanently disposing of the
nation’s plutonium legacy and demonstrates the UK’s leadership in
tackling this complex nuclear challenge. The achievement marks the start of
a programme at the NDA group’s Sellafield site to process around 400 cans
of plutonium residue; a by-product from historic manufacturing processes of
fuels and other materials. The residue is processed and made ready for
eventual disposal in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) in a Sellafield
plant that has operated safely since the mid-1980s. Adapting and
repurposing existing facilities, rather than building a new one, ensures
faster delivery and better value for the taxpayer.

 NDA 18th Dec 2025 

 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-achieves-first-plutonium-milestone

 The UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority announced it has succeeded in
safely processing a can of plutonium residue into a stable waste form for
the first time, marking a significant step toward permanently disposing of
the country’s plutonium legacy.

 World Nuclear News 18th Dec 2025 

 https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/uk-achieves-early-milestone-in-plutonium-disposal-programme

 Business Crack 18th Dec 2025 

 https://businesscrack.co.uk/2025/12/18/nuclear-milestone-for-uk-reached-for-first-time-at-sellafield/

The NDA group has delivered a UK-first nuclear milestone, marking a
significant step toward permanently disposing of the nation’s plutonium
legacy. The UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group has
delivered a UK-first nuclear safety milestone, by safely processing a can
of plutonium residue into a stable waste form for the very first time. This
breakthrough marks a significant step toward permanently disposing of the
nation’s plutonium legacy and demonstrates the UK’s leadership in
tackling this complex nuclear challenge. The achievement marks the start of
a programme at the NDA group’s Sellafield site to process around 400 cans
of plutonium residue; a by-product from historic manufacturing processes of
fuels and other materials. The residue is processed and made ready for
eventual disposal in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) in a Sellafield
plant that has operated safely since the mid-1980s. Adapting and
repurposing existing facilities, rather than building a new one, ensures
faster delivery and better value for the taxpayer.

 NDA 18th Dec 2025 

 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-achieves-first-plutonium-milestone

 The UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority announced it has succeeded in
safely processing a can of plutonium residue into a stable waste form for
the first time, marking a significant step toward permanently disposing of
the country’s plutonium legacy.

 World Nuclear News 18th Dec 2025 

 https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/uk-achieves-early-milestone-in-plutonium-disposal-programme

 Business Crack 18th Dec 2025 

 https://businesscrack.co.uk/2025/12/18/nuclear-milestone-for-uk-reached-for-first-time-at-sellafield/