Household Hazardous Waste - Universal Waste

Universal Waste can be collected as part of a comprehensive Door-to-Door program or separate Door-to-Door E-Waste collection.  In addition, Curbside offers stand alone battery bucket and fluorescent lamp collection programs where buckets are located at various public facilities or retail stores in the community.

Items classified as Universal Waste are considered hazardous if they are not recycled. If Universal Waste items are to be recycled, the management standards are somewhat less strict. These items can be stored on the property for up to one year. If they were not to be recycled, they could stay for half of that time and would have to be shipped on a uniform hazardous waste manifest. These items cannot be deposited into the trash.  Regulations on Universal Waste vary by state.

Universal Waste includes; fluorescent bulbs, compact and straight. Even the “green” tipped tubes are considered Universal Waste in some states since they contain some mercury. A common misconception is that these “green” tipped tubes can be thrown in the trash. Not so. Even compact bulbs (small twisted bulbs that screw into lamps) contain enough mercury to be considered Universal Waste and must be recycled or shipped as hazardous waste. A compact tube has 5-6 mg of mercury, a 4’ straight tube has 8.4 mg of mercury.

Ballasts must be recycled along with bulbs. There are two types: units containing PCB’s and units without PCB’s. If a generator has no more than two 55-gallon drums of PCB containing units at one time they may be managed as universal waste.

Another Universal Waste item is the common battery. All small batteries are considered Universal Waste. This includes alkaline, as well as rechargeable batteries e.g., nickel metal hydride, lithium, etc. Hotel managers use batteries in communication devices, emergency lights and in smaller applications i.e., thermostats. Lead acid batteries are universal waste as well and can be found in lawn tractors, maintenance machinery, vehicles and even as computer back up units.  Lithium primary batteries are now commonly sold and used in place of alkaline batteries.  Lithium primary batteries are not recyclable but should be collected as part of a program due to their potential harm to the environment.

Aerosol cans (any type) have become Universal Waste as have mercury-filled thermostats. These items are particularly hazardous but may be managed as Universal Waste. Any mercury containing device must be recycled.  Click the following to learn more about Curbside's Universal Waste Collections.
 

Public agency representatives, please call (888) 449-3733 Ext. 107.
E-mail: hhw@curbsideinc.com