Deep borehole disposal

Deep borehole disposal is a method for safely storing high-level radioactive waste by drilling deep into the Earth's crust, typically over 3 miles (5 kilometers) underground. The waste is then placed in sealed containers and lowered into the borehole, where the surrounding rock's natural geological barriers prevent radioactivity from reaching the surface. This approach leverages Earth's stable, dense formations to contain the waste long-term, reducing environmental risk. It offers a potentially safer and more secure alternative to surface storage, with the capacity to isolate radioactive material from humans and ecosystems for thousands of years.