Universal Waste Handlers

The following standards apply to handlers of universal waste.

• Applicability
• Accumulation Time Limits
• Employee Training
• Exports
• Labeling
• Notification
• Off-Site Shipments
• Prohibitions
• Recordkeeping
• Response to Releases
• Waste Management

Applicability

(Section 66273.30)

Article 3 (Section 66273.30) This article applies to universal waste handlers (as defined in section 66272.9).

Accumulation Time Limits

(Section 66273.35)

You may not accumulate lamps for longer than one year from the date the first waste lamp was generated or received unless specific conditions are met. Waste mercury lamps may be accumulated for more than one year if the sole purpose of accumulating such quantities is necessary for proper recovery, treatment, or disposal.

A universal waste handler shall be able to demonstrate the length of time that the universal waste has been accumulated from the date it became a waste or was received. The universal waste handler may make this demonstration by:

(1) Placing the universal waste in a container and marking or labeling the container with the earliest date that any universal waste in the container became a waste or was received;

(2) Marking or labeling the individual item of universal waste (e.g., each battery or thermostat) with the date it became a waste or was received;

3) Maintaining an inventory system onsite that identifies the date the universal waste being accumulated became a waste or was received;

(4) Maintaining an inventory system onsite that identifies the earliest date that any universal waste in a group of items of universal waste or a group of containers of universal waste became a waste or was received;

(5) Placing the universal waste in a specific accumulation area and marking or labeling the area to identify the earliest date that any universal waste in the area became a waste or was received; or

(6) Any other method which clearly demonstrates the length of time that the universal waste has been accumulated from the date it became a waste or was received.

Personnel Training

(Section 66273.36)

All employees must be thoroughly familiar with proper waste handling and emergency procedures, relative to their responsibilities during normal facility operations and emergencies. (Section 66273.36)

Exports

(Section 66273.40)

Waste mercury lamps shipped to a foreign destination, require the consent of the receiving country, and must be in conformance with the EPA Acknowledgment of Consent. Provide a copy of the EPA Acknowledgement of Consent for the shipment to the transporter who will be transporting the shipment for export. (Section 66273.40)

Labeling

(Section 66273.34)

Items containing waste mercury lamps, lamps (including M003 wastes that contain lamps) (i.e., each lamp), or a container or package in which the lamps are contained, shall be labeled or marked clearly with the following phrase: “Universal Waste – Lamp(s).”

Notification

(Section 66273.32)

Large quantity handlers are required to send written notification of universal waste management to the Regional U.S. EPA office and receive an EPA Identification Number, before they meet or exceed the 5,000 kg accumulation limit. This written notification must include: Business name and mailing address; name and business telephone number of the organization’s universal waste manager; address and physical location of the universal waste management activities; list of all of the types of universal waste managed; and a statement indicating the accumulation of more than 5,000 kg of universal waste at one time, including the types of universal waste (e.g., batteries, thermostats, mercury lamps) accumulated above this quantity.. (Section 66273.32)

Off-Site Shipments

(Section 66273.38)

Transferring waste mercury lamps to anyone other than a recycling facility or another universal waste handler is prohibited. A handler of universal waste is any business that accumulates waste lamps for shipment to a recycler. Packaging, labeling, and placarding shipments must be in compliance with the transportation requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT). (Section 66273.38)

Prohibitions

(Section 66273.31)

Disposing of, or treating, waste mercury lamps is prohibited, except when responding to releases. (Section 66273.31)

Recordkeeping (Tracking Universal Waste Shipments)

(Section 66273.39)

Keep records of all waste mercury lamp shipments. These records are vital for demonstrating compliance with the regulatory standards for waste mercury lamps.

• Receipt of shipments: Keep a record of each waste mercury lamp shipment received. The record may take the form of a log, invoice, manifest, bill of lading, or other shipping document. It must include the name and address of the originating universal waste handler, the quantity received, and the date of receipt.
• Shipments off-site: Keep a record of each waste mercury lamp shipment sent to other facilities. The record may take the form of a log, invoice, manifest, bill of lading, or other shipping document. It must include the name and address of the shipment recipient, the quantity sent, and the date of shipment.
• Record retention: Retain records of received waste mercury lamp shipments and shipments sent to other facilities for at least three years from the date of receipt or departure. (Section 66273.39)

Response to Releases

(Section 66273.37)

Immediately contain all releases resulting from broken mercury lamps. Clean up broken, leaking, or damaged waste mercury lamps and place them in an airtight container. (Section 66273.37)

Waste Management

(Section 66273.33)

Manage waste mercury lamps in a way that prevents releases to the environment.

• Contain waste mercury lamps in a structurally sound box or container that remains closed and lacks evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage.
• Immediately clean up broken, leaking, or damaged mercury lamps and place them in an airtight container.
• Remove waste mercury lamps from fixtures in a manner designed to prevent breakage. Practice ladder safety and wear good leather gloves. (Section 66273.33)

For questions about content, please contact the Regulatory Assistance Officers at (800) 72-TOXIC (800-728-6942) or go to the Regulatory Assistance Office web page.