Background

The Federal Government and the State of California prohibit pouring/dumping of Hazardous Wastes down the drain, in the trash, on the ground, into bodies of water, or into storm drains. The management of Hazardous Wastes is strictly regulated to prevent poisoning people and the environment. Typical Hazardous Wastes include:

• Reactives

• Flammables

• Toxics (e.g. poisons, pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides, fungicides, insecticides)

• Water Insolubles (e.g. used oil, grease)

• Corrosives (e.g. acids, bases, alkaline materials, lead storage batteries)
  

These wastes are generated in campus laboratories, maintenance shops, auto shops, medical examination/treatment rooms, the application of pesticides/herbicides, etc.

Universal Hazardous Wastes

Universal Hazardous Wastes are a sub-category of Hazardous Wastes. The State of California has created this sub-category for types of Hazardous Wastes that are not as dangerous to people and the environment as other Hazardous Wastes. However, just as their more dangerous cousins, Universal Hazardous Wastes cannot be poured down the drain, discarded in the trash, tossed on the ground, dumped into bodies of water or storm drains.

Universal Hazardous Wastes include the following wastes:

• Batteries

• Electronic Devices or Consumer Electronic Devices (computers, computer peripherals, telephones, answering machines, radios, stereo equipment, tape players/recorders, phonographs, video cassette players/recorders, compact disc players/recorders, calculators, etc.)

• Fluorescent Lights and Lamps Containing Mercury

• Sodium Vapor Lamps

• Cathode Ray Tube Materials (Includes Televisions and CRT Computer Monitors)

• Mercury Thermostats

• Mercury Switches

• Aerosol Cans

• Dental Amalgam Wastes

• Pressure or Vacuum Gauges Containing Mercury

• Mercury-Added Novelties (e.g. shoes with flashing lights)

• Mercury Counterweights and Dampers

• Mercury Thermometers

• Dilators and Weighted Tubing

• Mercury-Containing Rubber Flooring

• Mercury Gas Flow Regulators

Management of Universal Hazardous Wastes

To properly dispose of Universal Hazardous Waste and other Hazardous Wastes:

1. Prepare a properly labeled container, which is compatible and non-leaking for the collection of the waste by:

• Complete a Hazardous Waste Tracking Form (EH&S F-366-07), available from Environmental Health & Safety (Extension 4697), for each container. Make sure the following critical information is completed on the form: Hazardous Material Name, Quantity, California Waste Code, Waste Classification, Safety Handling Precautions and Initial Accumulation Date. The "Universal Waste Table" below contains the Hazardous Material Name, California Waste Code, Waste Classification and Safety Handling Precautions for the Common Names of Universal Hazardous Waste.

• Temporarily tape the completed form on the container before adding waste. Instead of taping the entire form to the container, you can remove the last page of the Hazardous Waste Tracking Form, which is the label for the container and tape the label to the container before adding any waste.

2. Place the Hazardous Waste into the labeled container.

3. Liquid mercury or mercury containing paint shall be placed in an airtight container.

4. Universal Waste thermostats, switches, thermometers, gauges, counter weights, dampers, dilators and weight tubing shall be placed in sealed plastic bags and then placed into airtight containers.

5. Intact Cathode Ray Tube Monitors can be stacked in 3 to 4 layers on a pallet and shrink wrapped. Monitors should not be stacked face down.

6. Incompatible Wastes shall be kept segregated and managed appropriately in separate containers.

7. Make sure the lid is closed on the container when you are not adding waste.

8. Handle all waste in a manner that minimizes breakage, prevents fire, explosion, and the unauthorized release of any Universal Waste or component of a Universal Waste to the environment.

9. Immediately clean up and place in a labeled container, as specified above, any waste that is broken or spilled.

10. When the container is either full or 90 days after the initial accumulation date, call the Environmental Health & Safety Department at Extension 4697 and make arrangements to have the waste picked up or transported to the Hazardous Materials Facility within 3 days.

Universal Hazardous Waste with a University Property Number

If the Universal Hazardous Waste in question is a device of piece or equipment which has a University Property Number, the Universal Hazardous Waste should be removed and handled according to the procedures described in this document. The remaining device or equipment shall be handled according to the University’s Property Survey Procedures, established by the University Property Office at Extension 3394.

If the Universal Hazardous Waste cannot be removed or is an integral part of the device or equipment (e.g. Electronic Device such as a Computer, Computer Monitor, Television), it should be handled according to the Universal Hazardous Waste Procedures described in this document; however, the properly labeled device or equipment should be submitted to the Property Office, according to University Property Survey Procedures. The Property Office will coordinate with the Environmental Health & Safety Department regarding the final management of the waste device or equipment.

Universal Waste Table
Common Name of Universal Hazardous Waste	Hazardous Material Name for Labeling	California Waste Code	Waste Classification	Safety/Handling Precautions
Batteries	Universal Waste-Batteries	792	Corrosive Material Class 8	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Avoid Heat & Open Flames • Wear Gloves and Apron
Electronic Devices	Universal Waste- Electronic Devices	181	Poison 6.1	• Eye Protection Required
Fluorescent Lights and Lamps Containing Mercury	Universal Waste -Lamps	M003	Corrosive Material Class 8	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors • Eye Protection Required
Sodium Vapor Lamps	Universal Waste -Lamps	M003	Flammable Solid 4.3	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors • Eye Protection Required
Cathode Ray Tube Materials	Universal Waste-CRT Devices	181	Poison 6.1	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors • Eye Protection Required
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Glass and/or Broken CRTs	Universal Waste-CRT Glass Broken Leaded Glass from Televisions or Computers Do not mix with other glass materials	181	Poison 6.1	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors • Eye Protection Required
Mercury Thermostats	Universal Waste- Thermostats	725	Corrosive Material Class 8	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors
Mercury Switches	Universal Waste-Mercury Switches	M001 (For Motor Vehicle Switches) M002 (For Others)	Corrosive Material Class 8	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors
Aerosol Cans (Non-empty)	Universal Waste-Aerosol Cans	343	Poison 6.1 and/or Flammable Liquid Class 3	• Avoid Heat & Open Flames
Dental Amalgam Wastes	Universal Waste- Dental Amalgam	725	Corrosive Material Class 8	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors • Eye Protection Required
Pressure or Vacuum Gauges Containing Mercury	Universal Waste-Mercury Gauges	725	Corrosive Material Class 8	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors
Mercury Drained from Pressure or Vacuum Gauges	Universal Waste- Drained Mercury	725	Corrosive Material Class 8	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors
Mercury Added Novelties	Universal Waste-Novelties	725	Corrosive Material Class 8
Mercury Counterweights and Dampers	Universal Waste- Counterweights and Dampers	725	Corrosive Material Class 8	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors • Eye Protection Required
Mercury Thermometers	Universal Waste- Mercury Switches/Thermometers	725	Corrosive Material Class 8	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors
Dilators and Weighted Tubing	Universal Waste-Dilators Or Universal- Weighted Tubing	725	Corrosive Material Class 8	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors • Eye Protection Required
Mercury-Containing Rubber Floor	Universal Waste- Mercury Containing Flooring	725	Corrosive Material Class 8	• Avoid Eye & Skin Contact • Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors • Eye Protection Required
Mercury Gas Flow Regulators	Universal Waste-Gas Flow Regulator	725	Corrosive Material Class 8	• Wear Gloves and Apron • Avoid Prolonged Breathing of Vapors • Eye Protection Required

Remember to comply with the following when handling Universal Hazardous Waste or any Hazardous Waste.

• Do not dispose of waste in the trash.

• Do not dilute or treat any waste.

• All Universal Wastes will be containerized to prevent leakage, spillage and/or damage.

• Use containers that are structurally sound, compatible with the waste, prevent leakage, prevent spillage and/or prevent damage.

• All containers shall be placed in a location that has sufficient ventilation to avoid formation of an explosive atmosphere, and designed, built, and maintained to withstand pressures reasonably expected during storage and transportation.

• Flammable wastes shall be kept at a safe distance from heat and open flames preferably in flammable storage cabinets.

• You may remove Universal Waste containing parts from a device. For example, you can remove mercury ampules from thermostats or electrolyte from batteries. However, you cannot treat and/or change the characteristic of the waste.

If you have any questions, feel free to call the Environmental Health & Safety Department at 4697.