Recycling used nuclear fuel offers a viable pathway for the United States to establish a reliable domestic source of essential minerals used in the high-tech and energy sectors. According to the authors of the newly released report, recovering these materials from existing waste stockpiles could significantly bolster national security by reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
The authors note that “Many of these elements are present in sufficient quantities that they could be recovered and sold economically for a range of industrial, medical, and space applications.” Furthermore, the report highlights that “several of these elements are considered critical minerals that the nation relies upon for economic and national security purposes.”
Essentially, nuclear waste contains a wide variety of rare materials that are vital for making everything from electronics to medical equipment. Currently, the U.S. relies heavily on other countries for these minerals, but by using advanced recycling techniques to process old fuel, it could produce its own supply of these valuable resources. This approach would turn what is now seen as a disposal problem into a useful source of the raw materials needed for modern technology.
The report “The Case for Commercial Recycling of Used Nuclear Fuel: Assessment and Recommendations” was published by the Energy Innovation Reform Project in Fairfax, Virginia, in April 2026. It was prepared by a team of experts including Dr. Christina Leggett, Paul J. Saunders, and Samuel Thernstrom.
