Environmental Compliance

Stormwater

Following rainfall, stormwater runoff can pick up pollutants on the ground – such as oil, grease, human and animal waste and toxic materials – and carry them into our lakes streams and rivers, either directly or through the storm sewers. 

That’s why it’s important that we carefully dispose of those substances and, most importantly, never pour them down a storm drain.

Learn more about stormwater management:

• Stormwater basics – Learn about how stormwater affects our water supply and what you can do to help.
• Stormwater basics for businesses and restaurants – Here’s what business owners and restaurant operators need to know about stormwater management.
• Illicit discharges – FIU has a zero-tolerance policy for illicit discharges. Learn how to dispose of waste water properly
• Report a Problem with Stormwater – Report a problem, submit an idea or recommend a change to improve how we manage stormwater
• Environmental Management Policy - FIU's policy on managing and protecting environmental resources

Universal Waste

Universal Wastes are a special family of wastes which are regulated differently from the rules governing hazardous waste. There are three types of Universal Waste which are commonly generated in Florida International University workplaces. Disposal of each type of Universal Waste is handled by separate departments:

Batteries

• Disposal handled by Facilities Management
• Includes all types of rechargeable batteries (of any size), car batteries, batteries removed from Uninterrupted Power Supplies ("UPSs"), batteries containing toxic heavy metals such as lead or cadmium, nickel metal hydride batteries, and lithium ion batteries
• Does not include alkaline batteries, which may be disposed of as normal trash
• Additional information/resources:  
  • FIU Waste Management Acceptable/Non-Acceptable Materials
  • FIU Waste Management website
• Place batteries in a rigid outer container such as a box or bucket
• Label as "Universal Waste-Batteries"
• Write accumulation start date immediately and call Facilities Work Management for pickup (x4600), or you can drop off in person at:
  
  • MMC - Campus Support Complex (CSC), Room 1132
  • BBC - Academic Center 1 (AC1), Room 195

 Lamps/Light Bulbs

• Disposal handled by Custodial Services
• Includes all types of fluorescent bulbs (including compacts), high-intensity bulbs ("HIDs"), Mercury lamps, UV bulbs, projector bulbs, and U-tube or circular bulbs
• Does not include incandescent bulbs, which may be disposed of as normal trash
• Additional information/resources:
  • FIU Waste Management Acceptable/Non-Acceptable Materials
  • FIU Waste Management website
• Place bulbs/lamps in a rigid outer container such as a box or bucket that is structurally sound, adequate to prevent breakage, compatible with the contents, and closed
• Label as "Universal Waste-Mercury Containing Lamps"
• Write accumulation start date immediately and call Custodial Services for pickup (x4630), or you can drop off in person at:
  
  • MMC - Campus Support Complex (CSC), Room 1132
  • BBC - Academic Center 1 (AC1), Room 195

 Mercury-Containing Devices

• Disposal handled by EH&S
• Includes mercury-containing thermometers, thermostats, manometers, sphygmomanometers, mercury switches, and mercury tube control devices
• Place device in a rigid outer container such as a box or bucket
• Contain broken devices in a sealable plastic bag within the rigid outer container to prevent Mercury spillage
• Label as "Universal Waste- Mercury Containing Devices"
• Place device in a rigid outer container such as a box or bucket
• Write accumulation start date immediately and email EH&S at ehs@fiu.edu, or fill out the hazardous waste pick-up form.

Pesticides are also disposed of as universal waste. If you have pesticides you need to get rid of, please contact EH&S directly by sending an email to ehs@fiu.edu, or fill out the hazardous waste pick-up form.

Universal Waste Labels -  All Universal Waste should contain a universal waste label, regardless who is managing its disposal. When filling out the universal waste label, be sure to include the following elements:

• Start date (the date in which the product was deemed spent)
• The words "Universal Waste _____"
  • Fill in either lamps, mercury containing devices, or batteries in the blank