What is it?
Universal waste rules or universal hazardous wastes (UHW) are a set of regulations that provide simplified hazardous waste management procedures for certain wastes that are widely produced in relatively small amounts by households, businesses, and other organizations.
What are some examples?
The following are some examples of universal hazardous wastes:
- Batteries: These include all types of batteries, such as lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, and lithium-ion batteries.
- Mercury-containing equipment: This includes thermostats, thermometers, switches, manometers, and gauges.
- Pesticides: These include insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
- Lights: These include mercury-containing lamps, such as fluorescent and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps.
- Aerosol cans: These include empty or partially empty aerosol cans that contain hazardous substances.
- Household hazardous waste: These are wastes generated by households that are considered hazardous, such as paints, solvents, cleaners, and oils.
What happens if I don't manage this correctly?
Failure to manage universal hazardous wastes correctly can have a number of consequences, including:
- Environmental damage: Universal hazardous wastes can contaminate soil, water, and air, posing a threat to human health and the environment.
- Human health risks: Exposure to universal hazardous wastes can cause a number of health problems, including cancer, respiratory problems, and neurological damage.
- Financial penalties: Generators of universal hazardous wastes who do not manage them correctly can face fines of up to $37,500 per day for each violation.
- Criminal penalties: In some cases, individuals who knowingly violate the universal waste rules can be prosecuted and face criminal penalties, including imprisonment.
What next?
Since there's a few big factors to take into account, we recommend contacting a professional services company, such as PSR, to discuss your specific situation.
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