University of Delaware Proper Disposal of Radioactive Waste
ALL RADIOACTIVE WASTE MUST BE DISPOSED OF THROUGH THE 
DEPARTMENT OF Environmental Health & Safety  831-8475
http://www.udel.edu/EHS
radiation warning symbol NOTE! Disposal of radioactive material in a manner other than that defined in this Guide may result in injury to the waste handler, improper release of radioactive material to the environment, or regulatory fines.
EMPTY 
SHIPPING 
BOXES AND 
PACKING 
MATERIAL		 Can be disposed to regular lab trash PROVIDED--
  • a wipe test of the package confirms that no contamination is present (Wipe must measure less than 100 DPM), AND
  • all radioactive labels and markings have been removed from the package or obliterated.
 empty radioactive material shipping box
SOLID
Examples: benchpaper, 
pipette tips, gloves, old 
radioisotope stock vials, 
containers after liquids 
within have been 
decanted into LIQUID
carboy

NO lead pigs or 
shielding
NO containers with 
>0.5 milliliters of liquid
NO chemical or 
biological hazards
 

 Place solid waste in the appropriate DEHS-supplied plastic or metal 5 gallon pail.  The pail must be lined with a plastic bag.
  • Solid waste pails are marked with the radiation symbol and the radioisotope(s) that may be deposited inside.  The color of the pail also indicates which radioisotope(s) may be deposited-- H-3 and C-14 (black), P-32 (blue), S-35 (yellow), I-125 (red), etc. 
  • If an item of waste is contaminated with more than one radioisotope, consult with DEHS prior to disposal.
  • Sharps (needles, razor blades, etc) must be placed inside a rigid container prior to disposal in a solid radioactive waste pail.
  • Containers with small amounts (<0.5ml) of liquid may be disposed in solid radioactive waste pails (e.g. Eppendorf tubes, small test tubes, old radioisotope stock vials)
Seal pail liner with tape or wire closure when full.  Complete and attach Radioactive Waste Pick Up tag.  Contact DEHS for pick up.		 P-32 solid waste container prepared for collection
LIQUID
SCINTILLATION
VIALS
(Vials containing liquid 
scintillation cocktail of 
any brand)

No empty vials (Place 
these in SOLID waste.)

 Deposit vials with the cocktail inside and the caps ON into the appropriate   DEHS-supplied 5 gallon pail.  The pail must be lined with a plastic bag.
  • Vial waste pails are marked with the radiation symbol and the radioisotope(s) that may be deposited inside.
  • H-3 and/or C-14 vials must be placed in pails marked "H-3/C-14".
  • Fe-55 and Mn-54 vials must be placed in pails marked "Fe-55/Mn-54"
  • Vials containing all other radioisotopes may be combined.  Place these vials in the appropriately marked pail.
Seal pail liner with tape or wire closure when full.  Complete and attach Radioactive Waste Pick Up tag.  Contact DEHS for pick up.		 Waste pail of H-3 and C-14 vials prepared for collection
LIQUIDS
Liquids that also 
present a CHEMICAL 
or BIOLOGICAL 
hazard must be 
disposed as 
MIXED WASTE (See 
section below)		 Disposal of radioactive liquids down the sink drain is PROHIBITED.
[Exception:  The water used to wash contaminated items at a radiation wash sink may be disposed to the sewer]
Decant liquids into the appropriate DEHS-supplied plastic carboy.
  • Carboys are marked with the radiation symbol and the radioisotope that may be deposited inside.  If the liquid to be disposed is contaminated with more than one radioisotope, consult with DEHS prior to disposal.
  • Carboys must be kept tightly capped at all times except when filling.
  • To protect waste handlers from splash, do not fill carboy past "fill line".
When full, or when pick up is desired, complete and attach Radioactive Waste Pick Up tag.  Contact DEHS for pick up.		 Carboy of S-35 liquid waste prepared for collection
MIXED 
WASTE
These are wastes that 
are radioactive but also 
present a secondary 
hazard (CHEMICAL or 
BIOLOGICAL).

Consult with DEHS if 
you are unsure if you 
generate a mixed waste.
 
CHEMICAL wastes are those that exhibit the characteristic of corrosivity, reactivity, ignitability, or toxicity or are "listed" by the EPA as hazardous wastes (e.g. acetonitrile, phenol, chloroform, ether, liquids with pH >12.5 or < 2)

BIOHAZARDOUS wastes are those that are infectious, potentially infectious, or present a hazard to human health or the environment

  • Minimize the volume of mixed waste that is generated.  It is difficult and expensive to dispose of mixed waste.  If possible, change the experiment so that mixed wastes are not generated. 
  • Segregate mixed waste from other radioactive wastes.  DO NOT place mixed waste in the standard radioactive waste containers-- inform DEHS that you have generated a mixed waste and a special waste container will be issued to your lab
LEAD Pig and Shields
  • Decontmainate if necessary
  • Place in strong Cardboard box
  • Contact DEHS for pickup
To Schedule A Radioactive Waste Pick-Up, Contact The Department of Environmental Health & Safety At 831-8475

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Copyright (c) University of Delaware, July 1999.