re: #237 yasharki

Can’t they just use an abandoned mine to store this waste?

NO.

The waste remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years.

Water just doesn’t percolate from the surface. It flows through the ground a different levels. As the waste material is water soluble (and if in contact with water will react with other chemicals and the new compounds might be soluble), over time it would diffuse into neighboring areas.

Additionally, you need to make sure nobody can get at the stuff, except for yourself in case you want/need to use it in the future.

We shouldn’t really be throwing it away anyway - it’s a potent energy source.