Sealed radioactive sources are widely used in industry, medicine and research, and are often small and mobile. The nuclear community has taken special care of all aspects affecting the management of sealed sources, including disused sources and their individual designs. This publication collects information on the most typical design features and manufacturing techniques of sealed radioactive sources and examines how they affect the management of disused radioactive sources. The approaches and methods described will also be useful for source designers and manufacturers in helping them to consider waste management points of view when they improve their products.