The endeavour to guarantee energy supply without the dependence on resources in distant countries will give again nuclear energy an increased attention. To bring nuclear energy to a renaissance, technology has to contribute by offering new developments in the areas of safety, economics and non proliferation. Only in this way politics can be convinced on the benefits of nuclear power, which will lead to an increasing public acceptance of this technology. Technological improvements have to be achieved for reactors as well as for the nuclear fuel cycle including waste disposal. The latter will be discussed in the present paper. Evidence will be given that recycle of fuel is indispensable for a growing nuclear energy.

For the present reprocessing technology new developments will be outlined which improve the safety and the economy of the Purex-process and reduce the waste volume. Different lines of waste managements will be discussed including those which for the long term seperate minor actinides and fission products.

For the future, alternatives e.g. the IFR or advanced reprocessing has to be seriously considered; the technical implications will be discussed considering the above mentioned requirements.