Waste Management

Hazardous Chemical, Biological and Radioactive Waste

Collection and processing of these wastes is managed by EHS, Radiation Safety, and, in some cases, Lab Animal Resources personnel, but you do not need to contact each group separately to make a request for disposal of your waste materials. We have developed a consolidated online request form that allows you to request disposal of most of the above wastes in one step. You can also use this form to request additional replacement supplies such as containers or tags.

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

Lab Animal Resources must be contacted directly at 855-2356 to arrange for pickup of animal wastes. For information regarding disposal of animal wastes, please refer to the following:

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 visit:

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. For more information, visit:

Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Fluorescent light bulbs are usually managed by Facilities or Physical Plant Departments (at IUB, also 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 at IU Bloomington, call EHS at 812-855-6311 for pick-up of containerized broken bulbs.

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