AppendixG_UW_Guide_.pdf
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AppendixG UW Guide
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universal wastes what you need to know
U.S. General Services Administration PBS Office of Applied Science introduction
Certain wastes generated through routine activities such as facility maintenance and personal/small electronics operations, are considered hazardous waste and can not be disposed in the regular trash. To reduce the regulatory burden of managing these wastes, to encourage recycling, and to reducing the amount of hazardous waste items illegally disposed in municipal solid waste landfills, EPA developed the Universal Waste (UW) Rule. The UW Rule provides an alternative set of management standards for certain hazardous wastes that would otherwise be subject to the same stringent standards as other hazardous wastes.
what wastes does the rule cover?
Batteries. Batteries, such as nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and small, sealed lead-acid batteries found in electronic equipment, mobile telephones, portable computers and emergency backup lighting. The UW Rule does not apply to automobile batteries.
Lamps. Spent lamps, which include incandescent, fluorescent, high pressure sodium, mercury vapor, metal halide, high intensity discharge (HID), and neon bulbs or tubes.
Pesticides. Pesticides that have been recalled or banned from use, are obsolete, have become damaged, or are no longer needed.
Mercury-Containing Equipment (MCE). Items or articles that contain varying amounts of elemental mercury.
Barometers.
Thermometers.
Motor vehicle light switches that contain mercury.
Non-automotive mercury switches and products that contain them, when they are recycled as scrap metal. These switches include thermostats and tip switches in portable heaters, washing machine out-of-balance switches, silent wall switches, and other mercury-containing switches and products containing them.
Thermostats.
Pressure or vacuum gauges such as U tube manometers, and Sphygmomanometers (blood pressure meters) that contain mercury.
Mercury gas flow regulators. These older gas flow regulators are managed exclusively by natural gas utilities.
Counterweights and dampers, including devices that use pouches of high density Mercury to dampen shaking on hunting bows and snow skis or to absorb recoil on shotguns.
Consumer electronic devices**. Electronics that exhibit hazardous characteristics such as some cell phones, game consoles, and computers. Ensure proper coordination with property disposal and CIO before recycling.
do all states regulate UW the same?
**States do not have to include all of the federal universal wastes when the states adopt the rule, and some states include other items not listed in the Rule.
how do these regulations apply to GSA activities?
Universal wastes are generated in almost every facet of GSA operations. Common actions such as switching-out thermostats during renovation and repair, or replacing fluorescent light bulbs as a part of routine O&M, even the administrative act of changing the battery in a blackberry, are examples of how UW is generated within GSA.
what if GSA doesn’t comply?
If you generate universal wastes, you must comply with these regulations. Violations for non-compliance can result in fines that range from $110 for a minor infraction to $27,500 for a major violation (per day/per incident).
If you do not recycle them, you must manage them as hazardous waste rather than as universal waste.
Last updated on Thursday, April 20th, 2006 URL: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/id/univwast/statespf.htm http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/id/univwast/statespf.htm what are the basic requirements for managing universal wastes?
Universal waste handlers, transporters, and destination facilities must comply with all statutes and regulations, applicable to their activities.
Transport universal waste only to a universal waste handler, or destination facility.
Determine handler status. Large Quantity Handlers accumulate more than 5,000 kg at one time, and Small Quantity Handlers, less than 5,000 kg (11,000 lbs). The designation of universal waste has no relationship to a facility’s hazardous waste generator status.
Do not dispose of a universal waste.
Do not dilute or treat a universal waste on site.
Register and obtain an EPA identification number
- large quantity handlers only.
Prevent releases to the environment.
Label containers - “Universal Waste - (material type)”, or “Used - (material type)” or “Waste - (material name/type)”.
Accumulate universal wastes on-site for no longer than one year.
Document accumulation dates and shipping information.
Train employees on proper handling and emergency procedures.
Respond to spills and manage the residue as hazardous waste as appropriate.
Self-transport between handlers and to an authorized destination facility.
Maintain records for three years.
Comply with departments of transportation requirements.
Do not dispose of universal waste.
Do not dilute or treat except to respond to spills.
Comply with departments of transportation regulations.
May transport without a manifest.
Respond to releases; spill residue may be required to be managed as a hazardous waste.
Comply with hazardous waste storage, treatment or disposal facility permit.
Comply with recycling facility requirements if no storage occurs.
Keep records.
Send waste off-site only to another destination facility or a foreign destination.
where can Universal Wastes be sent?
Universal wastes can only be sent to another handler, an authorized recycling facility or to a universal waste consolidator for shipment to an authorized recycling facility. You may not send universal waste to a municipal solid waste (garbage) landfill or to a non-hazardous waste recycling center.
Click on this link to find recyclers in your area.
http://www.earth911.org/master.asp?s=ls&cat=1&serviceid=192 where can I find more information?
Local Environmental Offices link:
http://pbsportal.pbs.gsa.gov:7777/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PL/ DOCUMENTS/PLA/ENVIRONMENTAL/PBS_Environmental_ Touchpoints.PDF
EPA Universal Wastes website:
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/id/univwast/index.htm.
To ensure that you obtain the most current data, the local and state hazardous waste regulating agency should be contacted.
Central Office:
CO strives to provide continuous support in all environmental stewardship efforts. UW initiatives include identifying training sources, standardizing contract language, and exploring national contract opportunities.
Ms. Gina Noel at gina.noel@gsa.gov, 202-208-0117.
FOOTNOTE: This fact sheet is provided as an overview of Universal Waste management requirements, and does not replace or supersede federal, state or local statutes or regulations.
http://www.earth911.org/master.asp?s=ls&cat=1&serviceid=192 http://pbsportal.pbs.gsa.gov:7777/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PL/DOCUMENTS/PLA/ENVIRONMENTAL/PBS_Environmental_Touchpoints.PDF http://pbsportal.pbs.gsa.gov:7777/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PL/DOCUMENTS/PLA/ENVIRONMENTAL/PBS_Environmental_Touchpoints.PDF http://pbsportal.pbs.gsa.gov:7777/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PL/DOCUMENTS/PLA/ENVIRONMENTAL/PBS_Environmental_Touchpoints.PDF
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