A manifold for connection to a medical/surgical waste collection unit having a manifold receiver and a valve unit positioned to be engaged by a manifold drive member is described. A manifold housing is dimensioned to fit and rotate in the waste collection unit receiver. When in the waste collection unit receiver, the housing rotates around an axis extending distally from its proximal end base. The manifold drive member is adapted to engage an actuating member of the valve unit and is located off center to the axis of the housing so as to rotate with the housing and, thereby, selectively open/close the valve unit. Two tabs extend outwardly from the housing and subtend different arcs so that said tabs, when in registration with complementary slots internal to the waste collection unit receiver, align said manifold drive member with the valve actuating member.
