Universal Waste
Universal waste is a type of hazardous waste that is commonly used by
a wide variety of people in many locations such as households, offices,
retail shops and industrial businesses.
Universal waste:
- contains heavy metals that may cause harm if released into the environment;
and
- poses a lower risk to humans and the environment than other hazardous waste.
Effective February 9, 2006, California Universal Waste regulations no
longer allow households and businesses to place universal waste in the
regular trash or curbside recycling containers. For information about
disposal of universal waste visit Universal
Waste FAQs or Links and Resources.
Universal waste includes:
- consumer
batteries (alkaline, lead acid, lithium, nickel cadmium (NiCd) and
mercury);
- electronics (cell phones,
computer monitors, computer printers, computer processing units (CPUs),
cordless phones, laptop computers, radios, telephone answering machines,
DVD/VHS players and VCRs);
- light tubes and bulbs (fluorescent, high intensity discharge, metal
halide, mercury vapor, neon, and sodium light bulbs) (excludes incandescent
bulbs which can be disposed in the trash); and
- mercury containing items (thermometers, thermostats, certain light
switches and gauges).
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