I would also offer the "coal tar" of 19th century London. Cooking coal gave off gas, which was used citywide for illumination. Since they didn't know what to do with the leftover goo, the gas company dumped it in the Thames. From 1812 to 1856, when chemists developed the production of aniline dyes, all that goop went into the river.
With this in mind, I question the demand that all radioactive materials should be placed beyond reach.
The Coal Tar to aniline dye is a perfect example of waste being turned to use for a profit.
It is also a great example of searching for one thing but discovering something completely different. ( the inventor was looking for a synthetic drug)