ion, they will

niversal waste

dd the wastes

o into effect

s that are not

Alaska,

ption is

ay 11, 1995,

Code of

273. For

all the

24-9346 or

ngton, DC,

3 412-3323.

2Recycled/Recyclable 

Printed on paper that contains at least 20 percent postconsumer fiber.

Pesticides

1EPA

United States Environmental Protection Agency

EPA530-F-95-025February 1996
MENTAL

tal Protection

einvent environ

cently issued the

e is designed to

waste items in the

am, encourage

ertain common

regulatory bur

hese wastes. 

irements, this

 more than $70

sts and reduce

rwork require

year. Admin

p encourage 

, thereby 

mmon hazardous

sh by households

hese materials

erators will pre

ealth and the

EPA as an amend

on and Recovery

at are authorized

 are strongly

WHAT

ARE

UNIVERSAL

WASTES? 

Universal wastes include: 

Batteries, such as nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and small sealedlead-acid batteries, which arefound in many common items inthe business and home setting,including electronic equipment,mobile telephones, portable computers, and emergency backuplighting.

Agricultural pesticides that havebeen recalled or banned from use,are obsolete, have become damaged, or are no longer needed dueto changes in cropping patterns orother factors. They often arestored for long periods of time insheds or barns. 

Thermostats, which can containas much as 3 grams of liquid mercury and are located in almost anybuilding, including commercial,industrial, agricultural, community, and household buildings.

WHO IS AFFECTED BY

THIS

RULE

?

Businesses. Universal wastesare generated by small and largebusinesses that are regulatedunder RCRA and have beenrequired to handle these materials as hazardous wastes. TheUniversal Waste Rule eases the

regulatory burden on businesses that generatethese wastes. Specifically, it streamlines therequirements related to notification, labeling,marking, prohibitions, accumulation time limits,employee training, response to releases, offsiteshipments, tracking, exports, and transportation.For example, the rule extends the amount of time

that businesses can accumulate these materials onsite. It also allows companies to transport themwith a common carrier, instead of a hazardouswaste transporter, and no longer requires companies to obtain a manifest. 

Many industries strongly support this new rule

because they have identified easy collection of universal wastes as a priority to ensure sound environmental management. This rule will make iteasier for companies to establish collection programs and participate in manufacturer take-backprograms required by a number of states. Manylarge manufacturers and trade associations arealready planning national and regional collectionprograms for their products. 

The rule does not apply to businesses that generate less than 100 kilograms of universal wastes

per month (Conditionally Exempt Small QuantityGenerators). EPA encourages these businesses toparticipate voluntarily in collection and recyclingprograms by bringing these wastes to collectioncenters for proper treatment and disposal. Households. Universal wastes also are generatedby individual households, which are not regulatedunder RCRA and are allowed to dispose of thesewastes in the trash. While new MSW landfills aredesigned to handle small amounts of hazardouswastes, these wastes can be better managed in a designated program for collection or recycling. EPA encourages residents to take these items to collectionsites located at nearby businesses andother centers for proper recycling or disposal.Communities. Communities in states that adoptthis rule can work with both businesses and residents to facilitate proper recycling or disposal ofuniversal wastes. By easing the regulatory burdenon businesses, more collection sites will be available. Communities can establish collection programs or assist collection programs set up by area businesses.

40 50 60

70 80

HARDWARE ELECTRONICS

RULE

! IT...

businesses.

 disposal of

sticides, and

e the amount

he municipal

unities for

Business

Pesticides
ion, they will

niversal waste

dd the wastes

o into effect

s that are not

Alaska,

ption is

ay 11, 1995,

Code of

273. For

all the

24-9346 or

ngton, DC,

3 412-3323.

2Recycled/Recyclable 

Printed on paper that contains at least 20 percent postconsumer fiber.

Pesticides

1EPA

United States Environmental Protection Agency

EPA530-F-95-025February 1996