Universal Waste Transporters

As the name implies, universal waste transporters are people who transport universal waste from small- and large-quantity handlers to other locations. Destination locations may include other handlers, destination facilities, or to foreign destinations. When waste is designated as universal waste, an RCRA hazardous waste manifest is not required during transport. However, universal waste transporters must comply with the applicable federal or state transportation regulations.

During the course of transportation, universal waste transporters may store the waste for up to 10 days at a transfer facility. As you may recall from Unit 4, Transporters of Hazardous Waste, transfer facilities are locations where a shipment might be kept temporarily during storage. Examples of these facilities include the following:

• Loading docks
• Parking areas
• Storage areas
• Carrier terminals

If a transporter stores the universal waste for more than 10 days at a single location, the transporter is then subject to the regulations pertaining to small-quantity handlers and large-quantity handlers, as previously outlined.

To learn more about RCRA visit our RCRA Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.