The University disposes of waste at the Black Hawk County Landfill. Not all of that waste goes directly to the landfill. The University also has a number of recycling and sustainability efforts. The University also partners with the City of Cedar Falls on its waste through use of the transfer station at 15th & State Streets. UNI waste goes to the transfer station and ultimately to the landfill in larger quantities.
Recent waste disposal information:
| FY10 | FY11 | FY12 | |
| Transfer | 1169.70 | 1049.20 | 1132.16 |
| Landfill | 360.91 | 381.55 | 330.49 |
| Total | 1530.61 | 1430.75 | 1462.61 |
