Modern nuclear power systems reuse what would formerly be considered nuclear waste. The waste doesn't even reach the point of unusability for decades unless you shut down the systems and when it's unused, the ionizing radioactivity that makes it dangerous is almost entirely depleted. That waste still requires stowing away, which is usually done by encasing it in concrete and steel reinforced chambers to prevent the waste escaping in the event of a flood, earthquake, etc. The biggest issue with nuclear power is potential contamination from mining uranium, but this is mitigated by responsible mining practices and has not really had any real world examples of happening. Nobody seems to ever believe this next point, but modern nuclear engineering also abides by insanely rigorous safety protocols to prevent the failures of older systems that were used at places like Chernobyl and Fukushima. Don't believe everything that the hippies tell you, basically.
The renewables that you mention revolve around the usage of environmentally damaging fuel, just not drilled fossil fuel. Well-maintained nuclear power doesn't even get a blip on the radar as far as carbon emissions go. It took me a bit to come around myself but it looks like our best option until the next best thing is discovered.
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Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.
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