Universal Waste

1. Universal Waste

2. Changing Regulations • Started with Businesses and Extended to households • These a common products with lower hazard properties • No longer allowed to throw in trash • -Mercury Containing Devices • -Aerosol Cans • -Batteries • -Televisions • -Fluorescent Bulbs • -Computers • -Electronic Devices

3. Batteries • Alkaline • NiCad • Lithium • Button Cell • Sealed Lead Acid

4. Alkaline Batteries • Most Common • AA, AAA, C, D 9volt • Mercury content 0.10-0.025% or none • Recycled by • Electrolyte neutralization • Zinc & Magnesium extracted, used in construction material • Steel Smelter (shredded)

5. NiCad/Lithium Batteries • NiCad batteries contain Nickel/Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hydride. • Lithium batteries are the fastest growing type due to their higher performance & reliability. • These batteries are found in cell phones, power tools, cordless devices • Recycled by • Disassembly • Electrolyte neutralization • Heavy metals recovery • Sold back into manufacturing

6. Button Cell Batteries • Mercuric Oxide, Silver Oxide, & Zinc Air • Watchers, calculators, pagers, hearing aids • Metal content • Mercuric Oxide 35-50% • Silver Oxide 0.4-1.0% • Recycled by • Shredding • Electrolyte neutralization • Heavy metals recovery

7. Sealed Lead Acid Batteries • Computer backup, lawnmower starters, large flashlights • Lead 50-75% • Recycled by • Lead extracted in smelter plant • Acid separation and treatment • Materials reclaimed and sold back to manufacturers.

8. Aerosol Cans All Types of Aerosols- Full, Partially Full and Empty

9. Mercury Switches/Devices • Tilt sensors • Doors • Lids • Temp switch • Thermometers • Thermostat probes

10. Collection • Do not try to dismantle -Store and Label as Universal Waste • Broken Switches/Devices -Collect any spilled Mercury and Store in a plastic container • Notify & Arrange Disposal with EH&S (X46778) -Call prior to delivery at Waste Storage Building

11. Fluorescent Light Tubes • Fluorescent tubes • All (California) • High intensity discharge (HID) • Sodium vapor • Metal halide • Some automobile • Floodlights

12. Mercury Concentrations • Fluorescent lamp • T12 ~ 41mg • T8 ~ 30mg • Low mercury lamps ~1/3 • HID • Metal halide • 75 watt ~ 20mg • HP sodium • 50 watt ~8.3mg • 1000 watt ~25mg

13. Incandescent Light Bulbs These are also collected.

14. Lamp Collection • Physical Plant/Facilities is responsible for collecting lamps when doing routine or scheduled change outs. • All Labs/Studios are responsible for collecting lamps when it is part of their equipment.

15. Lamp Collection • Must be in a rigid container to protect from breaking. • Containers must be “Closed” while in storage. • Containers need to be properly labeled.

16. Bulbs Were Not Protected!

17. Broken Lamps • Treat as Universal Waste not trash. • Put in a sealed, rigid container. • Label container “broken lamps” with date when container is first used. • Contact EH&S (X46778) for pickup or prior to delivery to the Waste Storage Facility.

18. General Requirements for Managing Universal Waste • Storage • Labeling • Time Limits • Disposal

19. Storage of Universal Waste • Storage containers for universal waste needs to: • Prevent leakage • Prevent damage • Be able to close

20. Labeling All universal waste must be include the following: • A description of the waste: Waste (or Used) Batteries, Waste (or Used) Lamps… • For E-Waste: Universal Waste: Electronic Devices • The “Accumulation Start Date” with the complete date to include the month, the day and the year.

21. Sample Label UNIVERSAL WASTE Used Lamps Accumulation start date: July 10, 2007

22. Time limits • “Universal Waste” can not be accumulated in any area or department for longer than 9 months. • “Universal Waste” needs to be removed from an area or department once its storage container is full. • Most containers are full within 3 months.

23. Disposing of Universal Waste • Notify EH&S when you are dropping off Universal Waste at the Waste Storage Facility in the "A" Lot. • Don’t drop off materials that are not properly packaged or labeled. • You MUST contact EH&S Prior to dropping of any waste material (x46778).

24. Disposing of Universal Waste • For Large Electronic Devises, CRT’s (TV’s, Monitors), or Computer Equipment and Accessories, please contact Business Services’ Material Management for collection, evaluation, and disposition.

25. Frequently Asked Questions • Q: If I am upgrading my computer system, is all the old equipment now Universal Waste? • A: No. Until it has been evaluated for potential reuse, the equipment is not waste. Business Services will make that determination. This also pertains to other Electronic Devises.

26. Frequently Asked Questions • Q: Do we need a sticker label to attach onto a Universal Waste container? • A: No, it can be handwritten with the waste description and accumulation date.

27. Frequently Asked Questions • Q: Who is responsible for compliance to Universal Waste laws? • A: Everyone! Employees and Students. The Hazardous Materials Inspector (County of San Diego) will come to campus and inspect work sites, classrooms, laboratories, and even dumpsters!!

28. Frequently Asked Questions • Q: Why do you have to notify EH&S or Material Management to dispose of Universal Waste? • A: Universal Waste is highly regulated waste stream. No notification, including no labeling, is abandoned waste and a violation per Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.

29. The End