Universal Waste
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. These items cannot be discarded in household trash nor disposed of in landfills. Examples of universal waste are batteries, fluorescent tubes, and many electronic devices.
Types of Universal Wastes and What Makes Them Hazardous
- Photovoltaic (PV) Modules (Includes Solar Panels) – Universal Waste Management Regulations
- Batteries — Includes most household batteries, AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9-volt, and all others, both rechargeable and single use –Cadmium, Copper and (In older batteries) Mercury
- DTSC Certified Appliance Recyclers (CAR) — Mercury, Used Oil, CFCs, HCFCs, PCBs, DEHP
- Discarded Battery Management at Facilities Handling Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials
- Electronic Waste and CRTs — Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, PCBs
- Fluorescent Lamps — Mercury
- Information on the Mercury Thermostat Collection Act of 2008
- Mercury wastes like thermometers and toys — Mercury
- Non-empty Aerosol Cans — Propane, Butane, Pesticides
- Resources
- Regulations and Policies
For Additional Questions, Contact the Regulatory Assistance Office
Toll-Free in CA: 800-728-6942 or 800 72-TOXIC
Outside CA: 916-324-2439
Email: RAO@dtsc.ca.gov
Hazardous Waste Links
- Hazardous Waste Home
- Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) Program
- CUPAs
- Electronic Waste (E-Waste)
- Enforcement
- Facilities (TSDFs)
- Generators
- Hazardous Waste ID Numbers
- Hazardous Waste Manifests
- Hazardous Waste Tracking System
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Land Use Restriction Sites
- Metal Recycling
- Permitting
- Toxics in Products
- Transporters
- Universal Waste
- Form 1358
- California Hazardous Waste Codes
Hazardous Waste Related Links
- Annual/Biennial Reports
- Emergency Response Program
- EnviroStor
- Export-Import Standards
- Fact Sheets & Publications
- Find a Registered Hazardous Waste Transporter
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Hazardous Waste Policies & Procedures
- Hazardous Waste Project Documents
- Kettleman Hills Landfill
- Office of Criminal Investigations
- Regulatory Assistance Office
- Report an Environmental Concern
- Retail Waste