Office of Environmental, Health,
and Safety Management

Waste Management

Waste management at IUB is handled in a variety of ways by several IU entities and regulated by another set of government entities. Please use the following information and links to help you meet your needs as you navigate the waste disposal process.

Hazardous Chemical, Biological and Radioactive Waste

Indiana University is a large quantity generator of hazardous waste, generating approximately 34 tons of hazardous waste each year.  Proper handling and disposal of this waste is critical to worker safety, the health of the community and the protection of our environment.

Environmental Health and Safety staff oversees the hazardous waste program for IUB, but our continued success depends on the efforts of faculty, staff and students.  Please use the information provided below to educate yourself on the proper management of your waste.

Collection and processing of these wastes is managed by EHS and Radiation Safety.  You can use the links at right to view the current waste collection schedules and request pickups or make appointments for waste dropoff.

For specific packaging guidelines and information about disposal of each type of waste, please refer to the following links.

• Biological Waste Management
• Chemical Waste Management
• Radioactive Waste Management

Recyclable Waste

Ordinary recyclables such as paper, cardboard, aluminum, and household batteries are managed by the Physical Plant Building Services Department. If you would like more information or would like to set up recycling in your area, please follow the link below.

• Recycling at IU

Computer Equipment

Disposal of computers and associated equipment is generally handled by individual departmental information technology support groups in accordance with University Information Technology Services guidelines. Equipment that can be redistributed must be transferred to IU Surplus Stores.

• Disposal of old hardware (UITS policy)
• E-waste pickup request

Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Fluorescent light bulbs at IUB are managed by the Physical Plant Building Services Department and by the Residential Programs and Services Maintenance Department. They are collected at building loading docks in cardboard boxes and sent to a vendor specializing in recycling of lighting related waste materials. It is the policy of IUB to replace burned out or broken bulbs with lower mercury bulbs whenever possible. These low-mercury or “green” bulbs may legally be disposed in a municipal landfill. However, many of these bulbs are still collected and recycled through the lighting waste vendor. Students living in campus housing who use compact fluorescent bulbs in their personal lamps are encouraged to give burned out or broken bulbs to their custodial staff or center desk personnel.

Cleanup and Disposal Guidelines For Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) comes from EPA and is good advice except for disposal for use on the IU campus. For disposal, call EH&S at 855-6311 for pick-up of containerized broken bulbs.