Abstract: Vials containing radioactive waste are emptied before destruction by passing them down a conveyor comprising pairs of spaced discs with aligned recesses in their edges for holding the receptacles, a severing disc extending between the discs to cut the vials in half. The severed parts are then turned to face radially outwardly, and placed on the ends of the arms of a rotating spider. The arms are hollow, and are connected to a source of inert gas, whereby any liquid remaining in the parts in scavenged. The liquid and the severed parts are collected in different containers.