After emptying labware of radioactive liquid, the first three rinses of the labware must also be placed in the radioactive liquid waste container. Glass or plastic vials containing organic or aqueous based liquid scintillation fluid. Vials with the fluid still in them are to be placed in the original cardboard trays for disposal. If the original trays are not available, the vials are to be placed with tops up in a cardboard box. Absorbent material must be placed in the cardboard box to absorb any leakage from the vials.
Empty vials are to be disposed of as dry and semi-solid radioactive waste.
Do not empty used vials into plastic bags. Leaking or seeping scintillation fluid will dissolve plastic. Label each box of vials containing aqueous scintillation cocktail and segregate from organic cocktail vials. If the vials must be used again, pour the liquid waste into a carboy along with the first rinse of the vial. Because most scintillation cocktail solutions are volatile and will contain radioactive substances, the procedures of pouring out the solution should be conducted in a properly ventilated fume hood.