Buried For 1,00,000 Years: World's First 'Nuclear Dustbin', Deeper Than Burj Khalifa, Is Almost Ready | WATCH

Ever since the world has been racing for the use of nuclear substances, there has always been an area of concern regarding their highly explosive nature and waste materials. The chilling memory of the 1945 Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks has every reason for the world to be scared of them. Even the nuclear waste materials are equally vulnerable if it comes into contact with a human being. It has the capacity to melt a human being like an iron rod.

In order to get rid of it, Finland is about to make history by building the world’s very first permanent underground dustbin for nuclear waste. This could be preserved for more than 1 lakh years.

Construction of Onkalo, which means "cave" in Finnish, began on the west coast in 2004. It sits on the secluded island of Olkiluoto, in a dense wooded area. The closest town is Eurajoki, about 15 kilometers inland, which is home to about 9,000 people. Many work at the nuclear power plant or storage facility. The $1.2 billion project could soon become operational, with authorities expected to grant a license within months.

(A copper capsule for spent nuclear fuel is pictured during the test in the Onkalo spent nuclear fuel repository in Olkiluoto nuclear plant area in Eurajoki | CREDIT: REUTERS)

WATCH: 3 Things to Know about the Onkalo Repository for Spent Nuclear Fuel

No permanent underground disposal facility

There is currently no permanent underground disposal facility for commercial nuclear waste operational anywhere in the world. Sweden began building a repository in Forsmark — about 150 kilometres north of Stockholm — last year, but it's not expected to open until the late 2030s. France's Cigéo project is yet to begin construction and has seen opposition.

The Onkalo facility is expected to operate until the 2120s, when it will be permanently sealed.

The Big Problem: What to do with Nuclear Trash?

Whenever a nuclear power plant generates electricity, it produces highly dangerous radioactive waste. This waste stays toxic and lethal for nearly 1,00,000 years, which is the time it takes to naturally cool down and become safe again. Since the 1950s, countries all over the world have been keeping this dangerous waste in temporary water pools. It's like leaving plastic garbage in the corner of your house because you don't have a city dumping yard.

Finland's Solution: The Onkalo Project

Finland has built a massive underground facility called Onkalo.

Where is it? It is located deep under a forest in southwest Finland.

How deep?

You have to take a lift down 433 metres underground, which is deeper than the height of the secondary building of the famous Burj Khalifa. "It's the isolation from civilisation and mankind on the surface that's important," muttered geologist Tuomas Pere told Associated Press as he steered a car through a labyrinth of man-made tunnels. "We can dispose of the waste more safely than by storing it in facilities located on the ground,” he added.

Why did scientists choose rock?

The Rock: They have blasted tunnels into solid bedrock that is nearly 2 billion years old. Because the rock has survived safely for billions of years, scientists trust it won't move or crack easily.

How will they pack and lock it? The 3-Layer Security

To ensure the radiation never leaks out and harms humans or the environment, they are using a strict locking method:

1. Copper Boxes: First, the dangerous nuclear waste rods will be packed inside thick, heavy boxes made of copper, which does not rust easily.

2. Deep Burying: These boxes will be lowered into holes drilled into the floor of those deep underground tunnels.

3. Bentonite Clay: Finally, they will pack the holes with a special type of clay called Bentonite. When this clay gets wet, it swells up tightly, acting like a permanent cement seal that blocks everything.

Are there risks?

Scientists have studied risks like earthquakes or the copper boxes rusting over thousands of years. However, after years of testing, they are confident that this underground tomb will remain safe forever. The project has received its final checks and is expected to start working by late this year or early next year.

(With inputs from agencies)