Explain the term "plutonium recycling".

Plutonium recycling refers specifically to the process of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel to extract plutonium. This involves several steps, including the chemical and mechanical separation of plutonium from other radioactive materials present in the spent fuel. The extracted plutonium can then potentially be reused as fuel in nuclear reactors, particularly in fast breeder reactors, thus enhancing fuel sustainability and reducing the need for fresh uranium mining.

The significance of this process lies in its contribution to efficient resource management and the potential reduction of nuclear waste. By recycling plutonium, the volume of high-level waste is reduced, and valuable material can be utilized again, supporting a circular approach to nuclear fuel management. This practice also highlights the dual nature of plutonium as both a fuel source and a component in nuclear weapons, but its primary definition in the context of recycling pertains to fuel reprocessing.