New methods are being devised for the extraction of uranium (U) and plutonium (Pu) from nuclear wastes that incorporate safeguards against weapons proliferation. Reprocessing method can reduce the demands on a repository by removing U and transuranics for recycling as fuel in reactors, as it can greatly reduce the long term radioactivity of the remaining waste and extends U supplies. The dominant reprocessing is the PUREX (plutonium and uranium recovery by extraction) process, which is used in the US and other weapons programs and in commercial programs. Proliferation resistant method is also a pyrochemical reprocessing method, which is a key part of the Integral Fast Reactor program. Fast reactors can take advantage of the relatively high fast neutron cross sections for actinide fission and serve effectively as actinide burners. The development of recycling technology also remains important, as it will help the US to opt for a major sustained increase in its reliance on nuclear power.
