The University of Iowa generates chemical waste resulting from teaching, research, healthcare, and operational activities. EHS is responsible for proper management and disposal of chemical waste. EHS provides technical assistance, training, collection and disposal service for individuals and departments that generate chemical waste.
Contact information and areas of expertise can be found on the Contact Us page.
Effective Apr. 1, 2026, departments will be responsible for partial payment of special, high-cost chemical waste disposal shipments ($10,000 or more). Departments will be provided with as much information as available on potential costs and expectations. Hazardous waste disposal for newly acquired spaces/buildings or large renovation projects will also be billed back to the department/project. As a reminder, hazardous waste disposal costs relating to mismanaged chemicals (ex. peroxide formers) remain the responsibility of the department.
Document
Training
- Hazardous Waste Management for Labs - W07HAZ
- EHS training required initially and annually.
- Audience: Personnel who manage hazardous chemical waste that is generated in lab settings.
- Hazardous Waste Management for Non-Labs - W32HAZ
- EHS training required initially and annually.
- Audience: Personnel who manage hazardous chemical waste that is generated in non-lab areas.
For further training and registration information, go to EHS Safety Training.
Resources
- Chemical Waste Requirements Poster
- Contingency Plan for University of Iowa Hazardous Waste Satellite Accumulation Areas
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Laboratory Close-Out Procedure
- Principal Investigators are responsible for cleaning out their laboratory prior to moving or leaving the university following the procedures on our laboratory close-out page. Responsibility falls to the department for any material remaining once the investigator is no longer at the university. In some cases, EHS can provide chemical laboratory cleanout services at a cost of $80/hour/staff. Staff will work in teams of two with a one hour charge at minimum. This service only includes removing chemicals; it does not include the disposal of lab equipment, supplies, or other hazardous items including biological or radioactive material. Departments may be required to contract with an outside company for any unreasonable clean-outs or chemical hazards beyond the capability of EHS staff. Additionally, EHS cannot guarantee that the cleanout will be completed in a timely manner. Cleanouts are handled in the order in which they are received and only if EHS environmental program staff are available. Departments will be required to process a special comp as additional work outside the department or provide EHS with an MFK for processing. To inquire about a chemical lab cleanout, please contact Tim Weber, Environmental Safety Program Manager.
- List of Hazardous Materials and Disposal Contacts
- Mercury Bearing Waste
- Peroxide Formers Disposal
- Waste Pickup Information
- Chemical Waste Pickup Request Form
- Chemical Waste Labeling Procedure
- Label Request Form (Labels are free of charge and will be sent through campus mail)
- Weekly Pickup Schedule