Table of Contents
Universal wastes include televisions, computers and other electronic devices as well as batteries, fluorescent lamps, mercury thermostats, and other mercury containing equipment, among others. The hazardous waste regulations (Cal.
What is not considered universal waste?
Some batteries meet the above definition but are not universal wastes. These include spent lead-acid batteries that are being managed under the requirements of 40 CFR part 266 subpart G; batteries that are not waste because they have not been discarded; and batteries that are not hazardous waste.
What is the universal waste rule?
California’s Universal Waste Rule allows individuals and businesses to transport, handle and recycle certain common hazardous wastes, termed universal wastes, in a manner that differs from the requirements for most hazardous wastes.
Are AA batteries considered universal waste?
Alkaline batteries are primary or non-rechargeable batteries. Since approximately 1993 these batteries have contained no hazardous constituents requiring management as Universal Waste and are considered non-hazardous by the USEPA.
How long can universal waste be kept?
Do not store universal waste for longer than one year after generating or receiving the waste. If you think you need more time, contact your Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) well before your oldest universal waste will be held for one year.
What is an example of universal waste?
Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that are widely produced by households and many different types of businesses. Universal wastes include televisions, computers and other electronic devices as well as batteries, fluorescent lamps, mercury thermostats, and other mercury containing equipment, among others.
Are broken bulbs universal waste?
Broken lamps may be managed as a universal waste but are typically more expensive to recycle or dispose as compared to intact lamps. Under the universal waste regulations of 40 CFR Part 273, universal waste lamps must be stored and packaged in a way that minimizes breakage.
Are LED lights Universal Waste?
While LED lamps are indeed much safer from a chemicals perspective, they do contain circuitboard components and other materials that the US EPA designates as Universal Waste, due to the high concentration of metals such as copper.
How do you handle Universal Waste?
Universal waste may be sent to another handler for disposal, or a company that treats, stores, or recycles waste. All Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations apply when transporting the waste off-site.
What types of batteries are Universal Waste?
(Batteries typically managed under the universal waste rules include lithium, mercury, silver ion, and nickel/cadmium batteries.) Under the universal waste provisions, used batteries become waste on the date they are discarded—such as when batteries are sent for reclamation.
Are all batteries hazardous?
Technically, not all batteries are strictly deemed hazardous.
Why should you classify different types of waste?
The classification of whether a waste is hazardous or non -hazardous involves the skills and knowledge of chemists who understand the behaviour and toxicity of chemicals. It is also important to ensure that wastes are disposed of in the correct landfill sites.
Is a battery considered hazardous material?
Lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries are listed as Class 9 Miscellaneous hazardous materials in the U.S. and international hazardous materials (dangerous goods) regulations and are subject to specific packaging, marking, labeling, and shipping paper requirements.
Are aerosol cans considered universal waste?
California Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Article 9 Section 25201.16 reduces the regulatory and financial burden of managing hazardous waste aerosol cans by designating them as “universal waste.” Universal waste handlers may process the cans onsite without a permit under certain conditions.
What two things at a minimum must be labeled on universal waste?
Typically, universal waste containers must be marked with the words that clearly indicate the type of waste in the container, for example, “Universal waste – Batteries.” This requirement is stated at 40 CFR 273.13 and 273.34; these sections also list some different naming conventions for batteries, lamps, mercury- Jul 10, 2017.
Is used oil a universal waste?
Universal wastes are wastes that are exempted from hazardous waste status. The most common wastes that are generated by automotive shops are used oil, gasoline, antifreeze, and mercury switches, and all four are considered universal wastes, meaning they do not count toward hazardous waste generator status.
What are examples of solid waste?
Examples of solid wastes include the following materials when discarded: waste tires. septage. scrap metal. latex paints. furniture and toys. garbage. appliances and vehicles. oil and anti-freeze.
What type of waste is lead or acid batteries?
Lead-acid batteries may be managed as “universal waste” under 40 CFR Part 273 or under the specific alternative standards of 40 CFR 266, Subpart G.
Does Universal Waste need a label?
The containers must be labeled, “Universal Waste – Mercury Thermostat(s)” or “Waste Mercury Thermostat(s)” or “Used Mercury Thermostat(s).” Tanks or containers holding the recalled pesticides must be marked with the original FIFRA label that would be required under FIFRA if the pesticide were a product.
Can I throw away LED light bulbs?
Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs do not contain mercury but are made with other hazardous substances such as lead and arsenic. Many communities will not accept these bulbs in their recycling program, which means most people throw their burnt out bulbs in the trash, by default.
Are LED bulbs considered hazardous waste?
Compact fluorescent bulbs, high intensity discharge bulbs (HID), and light emitting diode (LED) bulbs are hazardous and must NOT go in any trash, recycling, or composting bin.
How do you dispose of 4 foot fluorescent tubes?
Place a broken fluorescent light tube in a resealable plastic bag. Place that bag inside another resealable plastic bag and dispose of the light tube in your household trash. If the 4-foot long tube will not fit inside a resealable plastic bag, double-bag it in plastic garbage bags and tie them off tightly.
What lamps are considered universal waste?
A universal waste lamp is defined as the bulb or tube portion of an electric lighting device (§273.9). Examples of common universal waste electric lamps include, but are not limited to, fluorescent, high intensity discharge, neon, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium, and metal halide lamps.
