Radioactive Waste

Follow these packaging and segregation guidelines to prevent spills and contamination and ensure that RLSS can pick up and dispose of your waste. These guidelines refer primarily to unsealed radioactive material. Contact RLSS at (520) 626-6850 or rlss-rad-support@arizona.edu for assistance with the disposal, recycling, or returning of radioactive sealed sources.

Waste Pickups

To request a pickup, complete the online form located on the RLSS User Dashboard. RLSS picks up radioactive waste on the first and third Thursdays of each month. The request form must be submitted before 4:00pm on the day before waste pickups. Waste classification labels and yellow radioactive waste bags may be requested on the form.

A lab worker must be present at the lab during the scheduled pickup time or RLSS will not pick up waste.

General Instructions

• Minimize the volume of radioactive waste when possible.
• RLSS will not pick up glass containers, thin-walled plastic containers, leaking containers, improperly packaged glass or sharps, or loose scintillation vials.
• 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. Contact RLSS with any questions regarding deactivation.
  • Deactivating solid waste contaminated with S35, I-125, or I-131 may generate radioactive vapors, causing airborne hazards and/or contamination. Contact RLSS for information on safe deactivation methods for these radioisotopes.
• Segregate waste according to radionuclide characteristics and physical form. See “Waste Segregation” below for specifics.

Labeling Guidelines

Two Waste Classification Labels must be placed on opposite sides of the container.

Loosely attach a complete and accurate Radioactive Waste Summary Form or “waste card” to the container.

• All Radioactive Material Receipts (RMRs) contained in the waste container, along with their radioactive content, must be listed in Section 6 of the form.

Waste Segregation

Separating by radionuclide:

• 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).
• Separate waste with activity < 50 nCi/g or mL from waste with activity >50 nCi/g or mL.

Separating by physical form:

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