Radioactive Waste in Probably Stolen can't be sold or binned on its own, so carry it to the Dumping Grounds at night and leave it there. Here's where it comes from and every way to get rid of it.
Key takeaways
- Radioactive Waste is worth 0 credits, nobody will buy it, and the trash can won't take it by itself.
- It comes from the Corporate Waste Manager, who pays 100 credits a barrel, or from the Makeshift Reactor perk.
- The Dumping Grounds always works. Hiding it in a bag or crate in your trash can is an unofficial trick that may not work or may get patched.
What is Radioactive Waste in Probably Stolen?
It's a barrel of junk that takes up space and does nothing for you. It has a base value of 0, a size of 3 by 4 (12 cells), and it isn't contraband. The tooltip says "Radioactive waste material. Handle with care," and the item text adds "No one wants to deal with this stuff."
That last line is literal. Customers refuse it and Vending Machines won't accept it either. For what customers will pay for instead, see our shop economy guide. So once you've got one, the only question is how to get it out of your store.
Mine came from the Waste Manager in the demo. He offered me one, three or five barrels, and I took three and put them to one side of my storage, where they just blocked off that side.
Where does Radioactive Waste come from?
Two visitors bring it, and both times it's your choice to take it.
The first is the Corporate Waste Manager. He's a one-time visitor who can turn up from Day 3 if you skipped the intro, or from Day 11 if you played it. His pitch is "I'll pay you 100 Credits per barrel," and you can take 1, 3 or 5 barrels, so the most you can make is 500. One catch: you only get paid for barrels that fit on your table. Any that don't fit stay off the table and earn nothing, so clear your counter before you agree to five.
The second is the Makeshift Reactor starting perk. It cuts your store off from station power and protects you from blackouts. Dr. Jackson gives you an upgradable Makeshift Micro Nuclear Reactor at the start, and it needs regular repairs. As it wears down, barrels of Radioactive Waste appear in your store, roughly one every nine nights if you have no upgrades.
The reactor is also tied to an ending. Let the Makeshift Reactor's integrity hit zero and you get the Meltdown ending, which ends the run. Junk restores 30 integrity to the reactor but lowers its maximum by 5, so each repair leaves it a bit weaker.
Should you take the Waste Manager's deal?
I'd take it if you've got the room and you're short on cash. 500 credits early on is a lot, and the barrels cost you nothing but space and a trip or two at night. Our best early upgrades guide covers where that money goes furthest.
Space is the real cost. Five barrels at 12 cells each is 60 cells. In the demo my inventory was 24 by 10, which is 240 cells, so five barrels would have filled a quarter of it. I was running out of space under the counter as it was. If your storage is already full, take one or three.
I took three in the demo. It was easy money. I started on Rock Bottom with the perk that gave me 150 credits, and those three barrels on top really helped me get going.
Can you throw Radioactive Waste in the trash?
Not on its own. The trash can's tooltip says "Items inside will be permanently removed at night if Janitorial Service is paid." Radioactive Waste is the exception. A barrel dropped straight in the can is still there the next morning.
One small upside: a barrel in the can is out of your inventory grid. It still isn't gone, though.
Does the bag or crate trick work?
It might. The trick is to hide the barrel inside something else before it goes in the bin. It's an unofficial trick, not a proper disposal method, so it may not work in your version or may get patched.
- Put the waste inside a bag, or an empty Supply Crate or Security Crate.
- Put the whole bag or crate in the trash can.
- Pay for Janitorial Service that night.
If it works, the container and the barrel are both gone in the morning. You lose the container either way, so use a spare bag or crate you don't need and check the bin the next morning. If the barrel is still there, you've lost nothing but one night's cleaning, and the Dumping Grounds is still there.
On Rock Bottom in the demo I took Sawyer's Crew, which makes the janitorial service free unless the store gets vandalised. On that perk, trying the trick costs you a bag and nothing else.
How do you get rid of Radioactive Waste at the Dumping Grounds?
This is the reliable method. The steps:
- Drag the barrel onto the backpack icon on the counter, so it goes inside the bag.
- After closing, choose Leave the Store, pick that backpack, and go to the Dumping Ground.
- Move the barrel from the BACKPACK panel to the GROUND panel. It needs a 3 by 4 space there.
- Press Return and accept the warning: "Items left on the ground will be left behind, and lost."
Start with one barrel in a Light or Heavy Backpack. A larger backpack can carry up to four if you leave your tools at the shop. You get one trip a night, so a pile of barrels can take a few nights.
The trip isn't free. When I went scavenging in the demo, my mentor warned me not to go every night. Each attempt had a 10% chance of a minor wound and 2.25% for a major one. The next morning the report said I'd opened the shop late because of last night's activities, and I missed a customer. Dumping trips work the same way: the late opening costs you one customer. So plan for losing a customer the day after every dump.
I never dumped anything there in the demo. I did wonder about getting the waste out that way in one of the bags, but a barrel takes up a lot of cells. It does fit: the steps above put it in a backpack.
Why did my Radioactive Waste come back?
Georgio brought it back. If your first dump is on Day 3 or later, expect Georgio the scavenger to turn up, usually the next day. He says he saw you "forgetting your stuff at the Dumping Grounds last night" and leaves the barrel on your window ledge.
The good news is that this should only happen once per run. Put the barrel back in your backpack, dump it again on a later night, and it should be gone for good. Georgio can still visit later as a seller without bringing anything back. If he does bring a barrel back a second time, try the bag trick instead of another trip.
Is it worth keeping Radioactive Waste?
No. It's worth 0, it isn't contraband, and nobody will buy it. The only reason to hold onto a barrel is if you're waiting out Georgio's return before your second dump.
If you're choosing perks, keep the reactor in mind. The Makeshift Reactor saves you from blackouts but gives you a barrel roughly every nine nights and a Meltdown ending to avoid. Our best starting specialization guide covers picking a start, and your perks come with it.
FAQ
Can you sell Radioactive Waste in Probably Stolen?
No. Its base value is 0, customers refuse it and Vending Machines won't take it.
Why won't the trash can get rid of Radioactive Waste?
Radioactive Waste stays in the trash can even with Janitorial Service paid. Putting the barrel inside a spare bag or crate first is an unofficial trick that may work, so check the bin the next morning.
Where do you dump Radioactive Waste in Probably Stolen?
At the Dumping Grounds, on a night trip. Carry it in a backpack and move it to the ground panel before you leave.
Does Georgio keep bringing Radioactive Waste back?
He should only do it once per run. If he brings a barrel back again, try the bag trick or dump it on another night.
