Universal Waste is a Universal Problem

Universal waste comes primarily from consumer products containing mercury, lead, cadmium and other substances that are hazardous to human health and the environment. Universal wastes, however, can be handled and transported under more relaxed rules compared to hazardous wastes because they pose lower immediate risk to people and the environment when managed properly.

Nonetheless, universal wastes do still contain hazardous materials and must be taken to a designated handler or recycler. These items cannot be discarded in household trash nor disposed of in landfills.

There are Eight Categories of Universal Waste

There are eight categories of waste that have been classified as Universal Wastes—batteries, electronic waste, CRTs, CRT glass, lamps, mercury wastes, non-empty aerosol cans, and PV modules. Use the buttons below to learn more about each of the type of universal waste.

Additional Resources

U.S. EPA

Land, Waste, and Cleanup Topics

Recycling Basics

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)

California Recycling Homepage

Universal Waste

Wastes Banned from the Trash

External Resources

DTSC has compiled links to external webpages that contain information that may be of interest. DTSC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

• Comprehensive Recycling Guide 
• Ecology Center’s EcoDirectory – Search for specific universal waste streams (e.g. batteries, fluorescent bulbs, electronic waste) to find more information and authorized recyclers

Last updated: December 12, 2022