Materials not classified as waste study

The Department of Energy (DOE) has large quantities of valuable materials in storage that are managed for future reuse, recycle, or recovery activities. These materials include nuclear scrap and residue being held for recovery of the special nuclear materials, spent fuel, depleted uranium, and irradiated lead. Many of these materials contain components that, if recategorized as waste, could be considered hazardous, or radioactive mixed waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. DOE has conducted a survey to collect data on the materials that are in storage at DOE sites to allow a consistent evaluation of these materials. The data has been reviewed and placed into material categories. It provides a good first cut for identifying the types of materials that are being held for future use. A second survey is planned to validate the original data and to collect additional data elements. The data will be used to support the preparation of policy and guidance for the DOE sites to use in determining which of these materials should be managed as waste. (author)