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Waste

Request Rad Waste Pickup

Radioactive waste is picked up on the first and third Thursdays of each month. You must submit your request by 4:00pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month. 
Request Pickup

Waste Preparation Requirements

  • Minimize the volume of radioactive waste when possible.
  • Glass containers, thin-walled plastic containers, leaking containers, improperly packaged glass or sharps, or loose scintillation vials will NOT be removed.
  • Containers may not weigh more than 50 lbs.
  • Tightly secure all containers before pickup (i.e., use fiber reinforced or duct tape to secure waste bags, tighten screw caps, properly seal lids, etc.).
  • Deactivate all pathogenic or infectious materials prior to pick up.*
  • Segregate waste by both nuclide AND physical form.

*Deactivating solid waste contaminated with S35, I-125, or I-131 may generate radioactive vapors, causing airborne hazards and/or contamination. 

  • Separate short-lived RAM (half-life <= 120 days, such as P-32 or S-35) from long-lived RAM (half-life >= 120 days, such as C-14 or H-3).
  • Separate uranium and thorium from each other and all other RAM. Also separate by compound type (i.e., uranyl acetate should be separate from uranyl nitrate).

The groups listed in the following table must be separated from each other and packaged according to guidelines.

Physical formPackaging guidelines
Dry Waste – sharps and contaminated glass

Store in:

  • Sharps container,
  • Thick-walled plastic container with screw top, or
  • Heavy cardboard box, lined with yellow poly bag, boldly labeled “SHARPS” on two sides
Dry Waste - nonsharps

Store in:

  • Yellow poly bags, or
  • Heavy cardboard boxes with a poly bag liner.
Liquid Waste – inorganic (aqueous), organic (mixed), and bulk scintillation cocktail

Store in:

  • Sealed plastic pail with pull ring intact and at least 2” free space (air) at top,
  • Thick-walled plastic containers with tight fitting screw tops, or
  • Cubitainers (plastic bladder in heavy cardboard box)

Segregate:

  • Aqueous (inorganic) from mixed (organic)
  • Scintillation cocktail with pathogenic materials

Notes:

  • Ensure that plastic containers are chemically compatible with liquid pH and chemistry to prevent leakage or loss of integrity.
  • Do not process liquid waste as dry waste by use of absorbents.
Scintillation Vials - stored upright in tray

If multiple trays:

  • Stack in heavy cardboard box lined with a yellow poly bag

If single tray:

  • Yellow poly bag
Scintillation Vials – stored looseDouble bagged in yellow poly bags and placed into hard-sided, leakproof container (cardboard box, pail, etc.), ideally with handles
Animal BodiesDouble bagged in yellow poly bags and placed into hard-sided, leakproof container (cardboard box, pail, etc.), ideally with handles
Biological Waste – excreta, body fluids, and tissue/cell culturesDouble bagged in yellow poly bags and placed into hard-sided, leakproof container (cardboard box, pail, etc.), ideally with handles

  • Place Waste Classification Labels (provided by EHS) on OPPOSITE sides of the container.
    • A minimum of TWO are required.
  • Complete accurately and completely.

  • Complete the Waste Card (Waste Summary Card).
    • NOTE: In section 6, include all Radioactive Material Receipts (RMRs) contained in the waste container, along with their radioactive content.
  • Attach loosely to the container.