Universal Waste Management

Universal waste must be managed properly to comply with RCRA regulations. For all of the categories of universal waste - batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and lamps - universal waste handlers must do the following:

• Manage universal waste in a way that prevents the release of toxic components into the environment.
• Be on the lookout for evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage.

In the event that evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage is found, the handler must take the following actions:

• Contain the universal waste in closed, structurally sound containers that are compatible with the spilled or leaked contents.
• Immediately clean up any hazardous contents that have spilled or leaked, in a manner appropriate for the hazardous constituents involved.
• Determine if any of the released material is hazardous. If the material is hazardous, it may no longer be allowed to be handled as a universal waste. Instead, it must be handled as hazardous waste. Do not place spilled, leaked, and other released materials back into a container with universal waste.

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