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 universal waste are batteries, cell phones, mercury thermostats, lamps, cathode ray tubes and many other items that contain mercury.

Mercury is toxic to life and can be dangerous to human health and the environment.  Many items that contain mercury exceed the hazardous waste criteria for mercury content.  Others, such as lamps, are considered universal waste if they contain any amount of added mercury.

As of February 8, 2006, all universal waste in California, including that generated by households, must be recycled.

 

The County of Tulare, with funding from the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), has established collection opportunities for households, and some businesses and institutions, to recycle their universal waste at no charge.   Regulations governing universal waste are found in Chapter 23 of Title 22, Division 4.5, of the California Code of Regulations. The Department of Toxic Substance Control within the California Environmental Protection Agency provides guidance on the requirements for managing universal wastes.

Unversal Waste Batteries
Universal Electronic Waste devices, including cellular telephones
Universal Waste Lamps
  • "Lamp" means the bulb or tube portion of an electric lighting device. A lamp is specifically designed to produce radiant energy, most often in the ultraviolet, visible, and infra-red regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Examples of common lamps include, but are not limited to, fluorescent, high intensity discharge, neon, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium, and metal halide lamps.
Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs), LCDs, and CEDs
CRT Glass
 
Mercury Containing Equipment and Items

Following are  some of the more common Mercury containing equipment and items.  This list is not inclusive.

  • Mercury-containing motor vehicle light switches, and vehicles that contain them

  • Non-automotive mercury switches and products that contain them

  • Mercury Thermostats

  • Dental Amalgam Wastes

  • Mercury Pressure or Vacuum Gauges

  • Mercury-Added Novelties

  • Mercury Counterweights and Dampers

  • Mercury Thermometers

  • Mercury Dilators and Weighted Tubing

  • Mercury-Containing Rubber Flooring

  • Mercury Gas Flow Regulators

 

 

WHERE TO DISPOSE OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WAST

Tulare County Recycle Events

  • Cleanup Events are Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
    • March 3, 2012                 Exeter Corporation Yard, 250 W. Firebaugh, Exeter
    • April 14, 2012                 West Olive Fire Station, 22315 Ave 152, Porterville
    • April 21, 2012                 Dinuba Fire Station, 40404 Road 80, Dinuba 
    • April 28, 2012                 Foster Drive Fire Station, 2082 Foster Drive, Tulare

 

 

 

Pena's Recycle Only - Disposal Service

 

CSET Recycling Centers

Visalia Recycling Center

Porterville Recycle Only