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UNVERSAL WASTE
What is "universal waste"?
Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that are more common and generally pose a lower risk to people and the environment than other hazardous wastes. Also, universal wastes are generated by a wide variety of people rather than by the industrial businesses that primarily generate other hazardous wastes.
Some items considered to be universal waste are batteries, cell phones, mercury thermostats, lamps, cathode ray tubes and many other items that contain mercury.
Why is mercury a problem?
Mercury is toxic and can be dangerous to human health and the environment. Many of these items that contain mercury exceed the hazardous waste criteria for mercury content. Others, such as universal waste lamps, are considered universal waste if they contain any amount of added mercury.
Where can I find the California codes for universal waste?
The regulations governing universal waste are found in Chapter 23 of Title 22, Division 4.5, of the California Code of Regulations. The Universal Waste fact sheet and Summary of Universal Waste Requirements provide general guidance on the requirements for managing universal wastes. After February 8, 2006, all universal waste in California, including that generated by households, must be recycled.
Since these universal wastes must now be recycled, what can I do to dispose of them?
The County of Tulare, with funding from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, has provided collection opportunities for households, and some businesses and institutions, to recycle their universal waste at no charge. The sections of the regulations defining each universal waste are listed below. Click on each link to learn more about each category of universal waste and the local collection opportunities currently available.
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