Universal Waste Information
Universal wastes are specific hazardous waste streams that a company can choose to manage in an alternative manner in place of hazardous waste regulations if the waste exhibits any hazardous waste characteristic. Examples of Universal Waste includes:
 
  • Electric Lamps, including fluorescent, high intensity discharge, sodium vapor, mercury vapor, neon and incandescent lamps.
  • Batteries, including spent dry cell and lead-acid batteries. 
  • Devices containing elemental mercury, including thermostats, switches, thermometers, manometers, barometers and various medical devices. 
  • Electronic Equipment.
  There are several advantages of handling these wastes as Universal Waste:
 
  • Universal waste volume is not included when determining the hazardous waste generator status [R 299.9205 (5) (I)]. This may allow your company to reduce your generator status level.
  • Waste can be accumulated for up to one year.
  • Less labeling is required, container must be labeled "Used lamps", "Universal Waste Lamps"
  • A hazardous waste manifest is not necessary to ship your waste, a shipper or bill of lading is the only form required by the US DOT (Department of Transportation)
  • You do not have to transport the waste with a licensed hazardous waste transporter.

If these waste streams are not managed as Universal Waste, then your waste must be managed under the applicable hazardous waste regulation if the waste exhibits any hazardous waste characteristic.
 
  Q: How many do I have to accumulate in order to have a pickup?

A: Accumulation time should not exceed one year. Unlimited Recycling will customize your recycling program according to your needs; we will pickup any amount per request.

Q: Do you provide packaging?

A: Yes, Unlimited Recycling can provide 4' and 8' boxes and fiber drums, 2 and 5-gallon buckets & 55-gallon metal drums for a nominal fee.

Q: How can I be certain my waste lamps are hazardous?

A: In order to manage your waste properly, you may:
Accept the lamp manufacturer written claim the lamps are not hazardous
Have a TCLP test (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching procedure)
Assume they are hazardous
 


Shipping Instruction
  Lamps:
 
  • Lamps are to be shipped on original container or Unlimited Recycling can provide packaging for a nominal fee. 
  • Boxes of lamps can be placed on pallets.  Shrink-wrap the pallets for transport
  • Pack the boxes full of lights.
  • Tape the end of the box when full.
  • Write the amount of lamps on each box.
  • Arrange the boxes neatly on the pallet if available.
  • Keep lamps dry.
  • Do not tape lamps together
  • Do not place two different lamps lengths together in the box.
  • Do not Stack the boxes over 5’ high
  Batteries:
 
  • Batteries are to be shipped in a drum or on pallets.  Batteries are separated by type at the recycling facility.
  Electronic Equipment:
 
  • Place monitors on a pallet or into Gaylord boxes.  If placing monitors on pallets, shrink-wrap the monitors to avoid breakage.
  PCB:
 
  • Place the ballasts into a UN17C or UN17H 55-gallon, open head, steel drum with lids and bolts.
  • Do not crush ballasts, this could cause leaks.  Keep drum free of debris and trash.
  • Do not exceed 3/4 of drum or 600 lbs.