Pesticides Categorized as Universal Waste

Pesticides are broad groups of substances or mixtures of substances that are used for the following purposes:

• To prevent, destroy, repel, or lessen the population of any pest
• To regulate the growth of plants
• To defoliate or desiccate (dry out) the leaves of plants

The Universal Waste Rule applies only to pesticides that meet either of the following two conditions for being considered universal waste:

• Recalled pesticides subject to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, known as FIFRA
• Unused pesticide products that are collected and managed as part of a waste pesticide collection program (for example, for farmers)

Under these circumstances, pesticides are only subject to the Universal Waste Rule when they become a waste. Both recalled and unused pesticides can be designated as waste, under one of the following circumstances:

• Recalled pesticides become a universal waste on the first date that both of the following conditions apply:
  • The generator of the recalled pesticide agrees to participate in the recall.
  • The entity conducting the recall decides to discard the pesticide (for example, burn the pesticide for energy recovery).
• Unused pesticides become a waste when the generator of the pesticide decides to discard the pesticides that are no longer needed.

Pesticides are transported in a variety of containers, including single-unit containers, multiple-container package units, tanks, vehicles, and vessels. These containers must each be clearly labeled or marked with either of the following phrases:

• Universal Waste - Pesticide
• Waste - Pesticide

To learn more about RCRA safety standards visit our RCRA Refresher Online Training web page.