Hows high level waste dealt with

1. The waste is removed and handled remotely, so that exposure is limited. 2. Any material removed from the reactor will be extremely hot due to fission reactions occurring within the reactor, so they must be placed in cooling ponds for up to a year while they may still be producing heat due to radioactive emissions. Cooling ponds are usually on the same site as the reactor or very close by so that these materials do not have to be transported through long distances, which will increase the risk of exposure. 3. At this point any plutonium or usable uranium is removed from spent fuel rods in order to be recycled. 4. The waste is then vitrified (encased in glass) and placed in thick steel casks and stored in deep caverns in geologically stable locations, so that there is no chance of the waste coming free of its casing. Locations to store radioactive waste are chosen so that they make a minimal impact on the environment and people living in the area are consulted about it beforehand.