A manifold (60; 168; 242) for a medical/surgical waste collection system, said manifold (60; 168; 242) comprising: a housing comprising at least one sidewall defining a manifold volume, and a distal portion (88; 202; 244) defining a distal end and comprising a longitudinal axis extending proximally from said distal end of said distal portion (88; 202; 244); an outlet opening within a proximal portion of said housing and in fluid communication with said manifold volume; a filter element (118; 170; 310) within said housing and comprising a base (122; 172; 312), a mouth positioned opposite said base (122; 172; 312) relative to said outlet opening, a basket (120; 174; 314) extending between said base (122; 172; 312) and said mouth, and porous features (142; 194; 315) within said basket (120; 174; 314); at least one fitting defining a bore in fluid communication with said manifold volume with said fitting adapted to receive a suction line for drawing fluid into said manifold volume, wherein a fluid communication path is established from said bore of said fitting to said outlet opening through said manifold volume and across said filter element (118; 170; 310) such that said porous features (142; 194; 315) are adapted to trap material entrained within the fluid as the fluid is drawn through said fluid communication path; and characterized by a protrusion (107; 207; 307) extending downwardly from said at least one sidewall to at least partially define a material collection volume (106; 206; 306) within said housing with said material collection volume (106; 206; 306) at least partially located axially between said bore of said fitting and said mouth of said filter element (118; 170; 310), and further located opposite said basket (120; 174; 314) of said filter element (118; 170; 310) relative to said longitudinal axis such that, as the fluid and the material is drawn through said fluid communication path, the material collects within said material collection volume (106; 206; 306). a housing comprising at least one sidewall defining a manifold volume, and a distal portion (88; 202; 244) defining a distal end and comprising a longitudinal axis extending proximally from said distal end of said distal portion (88; 202; 244); an outlet opening within a proximal portion of said housing and in fluid communication with said manifold volume; a filter element (118; 170; 310) within said housing and comprising a base (122; 172; 312), a mouth positioned opposite said base (122; 172; 312) relative to said outlet opening, a basket (120; 174; 314) extending between said base (122; 172; 312) and said mouth, and porous features (142; 194; 315) within said basket (120; 174; 314); at least one fitting defining a bore in fluid communication with said manifold volume with said fitting adapted to receive a suction line for drawing fluid into said manifold volume, wherein a fluid communication path is established from said bore of said fitting to said outlet opening through said manifold volume and across said filter element (118; 170; 310) such that said porous features (142; 194; 315) are adapted to trap material entrained within the fluid as the fluid is drawn through said fluid communication path; and characterized by a protrusion (107; 207; 307) extending downwardly from said at least one sidewall to at least partially define a material collection volume (106; 206; 306) within said housing with said material collection volume (106; 206; 306) at least partially located axially between said bore of said fitting and said mouth of said filter element (118; 170; 310), and further located opposite said basket (120; 174; 314) of said filter element (118; 170; 310) relative to said longitudinal axis such that, as the fluid and the material is drawn through said fluid communication path, the material collects within said material collection volume (106; 206; 306).