Should we reprocess and use radioactive isotopes from nuclear waste??

Question

Why or why not? How is it done?

Answer 1

You can separate the truly nasty, long-lived isotopes out of nuclear waste.  They are only a tiny fraction of it.  The rest will decay naturally in a reasonable period of time (and may even be useful somehow--I don't know).

This is, however, illegal in the US.  As is any attempt to put the radioactive waste in a secure storage site.  Our wise lawmakers have determined that the ideal solution is to not touch it and leave it exactly where it is on site where it is produced for the next gajillion years or until they get a clue.