[Jo Nuvark]

50 years after nuking the Bikini Islands they
are virtually “pristine”. What’s different about
nuclear waste?

Fifty years after atomic bombs rocked Bikini Atoll
and pulverized its coral reef, the lagoon again boasts
a flourishing coral community.

http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0526-dance_bikini.html

Coral flourishing at Bikini Atoll atomic test site.
Huge reefs inside crater...,

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24132798/

[RightWhale]

Nuclear waste is a lot of things. Might be that by the pound most of it is junk that got irradiated slightly such as clothing, mops, insulation, water, bulky stuff that wouldn’t be radioactive normally. Used fuel rods, partly used and still hot but not hot enough for the reactor would be some that needs special handling.

[El Gato]

Even the areas contaminated by the much more recent Chernobyl disaster have bounced back. While still off limits to people, mostly, the animals and plants are thriving.