These can be crushed on a hard impermeable surface (e.g. concrete) or in a metal drum or bucket using a stout block of wood or a hammer. Workers doing this should wear protective equipment, such as eye protection, boots, clothing and gloves. The crushed glass should be swept up, placed in a container suitable for sharp objects, sealed and disposed of in a landfill. The liquids released from the ampoules should be diluted and disposed of as described above.

Ampoules should not be burnt or incinerated as they will explode, possibly causing injury to operators and damage to the furnace or incinerator. Melted glass will also clog up the grate of a furnace or incinerator if the operating temperature is above the melting point of glass.

Volatile liquids in small quantities can be allowed to evaporate in the open air.

NB: Ampoules of antineoplastics or anti-infective drugs must not be crushed and the liquid discharged to sewers. They should be treated using the encapsulation or inertization disposal methods described above.