Some hazardous wastes are so common, they're practically
universal. They're what state and federal environmental
rules call "universal waste." The good news is that most of these
wastes are easily recycled. And by managing an otherwise hazardous
waste as a universal waste, businesses can streamline their
hazardous waste reporting and manifesting requirements.
Categories of universal waste currently include batteries,
pesticides, thermostats and fluorescent lights (because of the
mercury they contain), and paint and paint-related wastes.
Businesses that categorize these wastes as "universal" can avoid
several regulatory hurdles and expenses:
- You don't need to register with the TCEQ if you generate or
handle only universal waste
- You don't need to include universal waste when you figure your
hazardous waste generator status
- You don't have to identify universal waste on your facility's
Notice of Registration (NOR)
- You don't have to report universal waste on your Annual Waste
Summary
- You can accumulate universal waste for up to one year before
sending it for disposal
- You don't need a manifest when shipping your universal waste in
Texas
- You don't need to use a registered waste hauler to transport
your universal waste
- You don't need to pay a hazardous waste generation fee
So what requirements do you have to meet?
Basically, you must properly store, transport, and dispose of
the waste. You can accumulate universal waste at your facility for
up to one year. (Note: An exception is allowed only if your
facility can show it needs a longer accumulation time to facilitate
proper recovery, treatment, or disposal of the universal waste.)
The waste must be accumulated in an environmentally responsible
manner so that no spills or leaks occur, and the containers holding
universal waste must be properly labeled. While you don't need to
use a TCEQ-registered waste hauler to transport universal waste,
you must send these wastes to a universal waste handler, to a
destination facility, or to a foreign destination meeting the
standards specified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
These include treatment, storage or disposal facilities and
recycling facilities. Remember: universal waste is still
hazardous waste and may not be disposed of in the
garbage.
For technical questions about universal waste, call the
Technical Analysis Team of TCEQ's Waste Permits Division at
512-239-6412.
The TCEQ's Small Business and Local Government Assistance
Section offers free, confidential help to small businesses and
local governments working to comply with state environmental
regulations. Call us at 1-800-447-2827.
