Abstract: An apparatus for crushing small containers, such as vials, containing a scintillation liquid. The apparatus includes a closed housing having a feed opening in the upper end which communicates with a hopper. The lower end of the hopper registers with a pair of cooperating crusher rolls, and the vials fed into the hopper flow downwardly through the rolls which crush or rupture the vials to permit the liquid to be expelled. After crushing, the vials and the liquid pass through a chute and are discharged into an end of a closed vibratory conveyor unit that includes at least one vibrating screen. The liquid passes through the screen and is collected in a container while the crushed vials are conveyed along the screen and are discharged into a collection drum. The apparatus includes a loading basket that is pivoted to a carriage which is slidable on tracks mounted on the outer surface of the housing beneath the inlet opening.