Historic waste is low-level radioactive waste that was managed in a manner no longer considered acceptable, but for which the original producer cannot reasonably be held responsible or no longer exists and for which the federal government has accepted responsibility.

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Historic waste generally consists of process contaminated materials mixed with soil. Much of Canada's historic waste dates back to the 1930's through 1950's period when radium and uranium was first transported to and refined in Port Hope, Ontario.  Most of this waste is safely stored at interim storage facilities located at or near the waste sites.

For historic waste, the LLRWMO performs cleanup remedial work, and constructs and operates interim storage facilities until long-term management facilities are available.

The main historic waste sites in Canada are (see map for locations):

Historic LLRW Projects

• Northern Transportation Route (Northwest Territories to Alberta)
  
  

• Fort McMurray
  
  

• Port Hope, Ontario

• Scarborough, Ontario

• Surrey, British Columbia

• Artifact Recovery