Incinerator

The Veterinary Medicine incinerator is located at 1676 Vet Med. Trained operators run the incinerator every Tuesday. The incinerator provides for the sanitary disposal of animal carcasses, tissue, and bedding that may or may not be contaminated with disease-causing organisms. EH&S also incinerates many non-regulated organics, radiological combustibles, animals, and certain contraband seized by law enforcement agencies.  

The incinerator is located on the southwest side of Veterinary Medicine. Click here to view a map.

Animal Carcasses and Tissue

Animal tissue and carcasses must be properly managed to curb the spread of disease, prevent the introduction of non-approved material to the food chain, and reduce offensive odors and unsightly discharges.

For guidance on proper disposal options for animal carcasses, tissues, and bedding, consult the Sharps and Biohazardous Waste Procedure (PDF) and Flowchart (PDF).

Animals and animal waste are managed by Lab Animal Resources (LAR), EH&S, or the Research and Demonstration Farm of origin. A completed "waste for incineration" tag must be attached to any material brought to the incinerator. Contact EH&S at (515) 294-5359 or LAR at (515) 294-8507 for disposal guidelines.

Disposal of Controlled Substances

The incinerator is approved for the destruction of controlled substances on campus. The collection and destruction of discarded controlled substances at Iowa State University (ISU) are captured in the Disposal of Controlled Substances SOP.

ISU will incinerate controlled substances for the Central Iowa Drug Task Force and ISU Police Department. All other controlled substance requests may need coordination with an outside waste vendor. Please call (515) 294-2009 with questions.