Jump to section:

  1. Whom do I contact?
  2. What are my responsibilities as a waste generator?
  3. Will training be required?

  4. What are other relevant resources and links?

1.  Whom do I contact?

The Environmental Programs (EP) section within the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHS) facilitates compliance with environmental regulations through the management of biological, chemical, and radioactive waste.

EP collects chemical, radioactive, and some biohazardous waste from generator locations. EP transports, stores, manages, and disposes of waste in compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Transportation, and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services requirements.

Additional services include:

  • Waste generator compliance assessments
  • Facility inspections and audits
  • Institutional waste generation and minimization assessments

EP also completes EPA-required annual reporting.

Contact information

EHS Environmental Safety Program Manager
319-335-4626
Staff Directory
EHS Waste/Environmental Programs website

2.  What are my responsibilities as a waste generator?

Generators of chemical waste must: 

  • Use compatible containers
  • Keep containers closed except when adding or removing waste
  • Label containers appropriately
  • Store waste properly
  • Contact EHS for disposal  

Generators of radioactive waste must: 

  • Use appropriately labeled containers
  • Secure waste at all times
  • Record isotope and activity for all waste added
  • Complete required training (see Question 3)  

Generators of biohazardous waste must: 

  • Place waste in the appropriate biohazard container and place sharps in designated sharps containers.
  • Autoclave culture plates and vials containing pathogenic organisms before disposal
  • In most university buildings, transport closed containers to designated loading docks for pickup by a contracted service  

For more information, review the Waste Management Guidelines and Procedures and Information on Waste Pickup. 

3.  What are the training obligations?  Are educational resources available?

At least one representative from each waste-generating area must complete hazardous and/or radioactive waste management training. Follow the registration instructions. 

Select from the following courses: 

Hazardous Waste Management for Labs – W07HAZ  

Required initially and annually.  

  • Audience: Individuals generating hazardous chemical waste in laboratories
  • Approximate duration: 15-20 minutes 

Hazardous Waste Management for Non-Labs – W32HAZ  

Required initially and annually.  

  • Audience: Individuals generating hazardous chemical waste in non-laboratory areas.
  • Approximate duration: 15-20 minutes 

Radiation Safety, Basic – W002RD  

Required initially  

  • Audience: Users of radioactive materials in nonhuman research.
  • Approximate duration: 20-35 minutes 

Oil spill prevention, control and countermeasures (SPCC) – W067HAZ  

Required initially and annually. 

This training requires information specific to your work area. Use the Site-Specific Training Checklist located within the course content to review site-specific training items with your supervisor or designated work area trainer.   

  • Audience: Personnel who use, store, or transfer oil and are subject to an SPCC plan
  • Approximate duration: 15-20 minutes  

All training sessions are listed in the EHS safety training course guide and on the laboratory-specific training requirements.

4. What are other relevant resources and links?