FTA: Disposed of permanently and safely.

Vitrification is accomplished by mixing waste from Hanford’s underground tanks with glass-forming materials in high-temperature melters. As the materials are heated to 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit, the waste is incorporated into the molten glass. This “liquid glass” is poured into stainless steel canisters to cool.

Once cooled, the now-solid vitrified waste within the canisters can be disposed of permanently and safely. The most hazardous waste will be buried in a national repository. Less dangerous wastes will be disposed of at the Integrated Disposal Facility on the Hanford Site.