universal waste

{{Short description|Category of common waste materials designated as hazardous waste}}

{{One source|date=December 2022}}

Universal waste is a category of waste materials designated as "hazardous waste", but containing materials that are very common. It is defined in {{USCFR|40|273|9}}, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency but states may also have corollary regulations regarding these materials.

Universal waste includes:

• Batteries; lithium, Silver ion, nickel cadmium (Ni-Cad), mercury-oxide, or sealed lead-acid. Spent Lead-Acid Batteries being reclaimed do not need to be managed as universal waste.
• Pesticides; Stocks of a suspended and canceled pesticide that are part of a voluntary or mandatory recall
• Mercury Containing Equipment; a device or part of a device (including thermostats) that contains elemental mercury integral to its function.
• Lamps; include, but are not limited to, fluorescent, high intensity discharge, neon, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium, and metal halide lamps.
• Aerosol cans: a non-refillable receptacle containing a compressed gas, liquid, or solution under pressure for expelling a liquid, paste, or powder. These include, but are not limited to spray paints, lubricants, solvents, adhesives.

Businesses and other generators of such waste are required to provide for their proper disposal.