Labeling
All waste bags or containers should be labeled with basic information on their content and
on the waste producer. This information may be written directly on the bag or container
or on preprinted labels, securely attached.
For health care waste, the following additional information should be marked on the label:
● Waste category
● Date of collection
● Place in hospital where produced (e.g., ward)
● Waste destination
In case of problems involving questions of liability, full and correct labeling allows the
origin of the waste to be traced. Labeling also warns operative staff and the public of the
hazardous nature of the waste. The hazards posed by container contents can be quickly
identified in case of accident, enabling emergency services to take appropriate action.
Cytotoxic waste should be marked with the label “Cytotoxic waste.”
Three labels have been designed by the UN/IAEA for radioactive material, providing
information on the levels of activity of a given package (IAEA, 1996).
Unless the package is large (and it is assumed here that all packages containing
radioactive waste do not exceed 1m2 in cross-sectional area), radiation symbol the labels
should be chosen according to Table 114-2. If the two types of conditions in Table 114-2
differ, the package should be assigned to the higher category.