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 Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that are generated by several sectors of society, rather than a single industry or type of business. These wastes contain harmful chemicals, which, if put in the trash may harm people or the environment.
How Can I Properly Dispose of My U-Waste?
Many local government agencies run programs that help households and small businesses recycle or properly dispose of their hazardous and universal wastes. Additionally, some retailers will collect certain universal wastes, such as batteries. You may bring your U-waste and other household hazardous waste to the County’s weekly HHW/E-Waste Collection events or take them to available permanent centers. Click here for more details.
Universal wastes include:
Common Batteries - Such as AA, AAA, C cells, D cells and button batteries (e.g. hearing aid batteries). These may contain a corrosive chemical that can cause burns. For proper disposal, click here.
Fluorescent Tubes and Bulbs and Other Mercury-Containing Lamps – Fluorescent light tubes and bulbs, high intensity discharge (HID), sodium, and neon bulbs. These lights contain mercury vapor that may be released to the environment when they are broken. If mercury is released into the environment it can contaminate the air we breathe and enter streams, rivers, and the ocean. To learn more on "How to Handle Fluorescent Lamps and CFLs" and what do if you break one at home, click here. For more information on proper disposal, click here.
Electronic Devices - Such as televisions and computer monitors, computer hard drives, printers, VCRs, cell phones, telephones, radios, and microwave ovens. These devices often contain heavy metals like lead, cadmium, copper, and chromium. The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has tested many electronic devices to determine whether items are u-waste or not. For additional assistance, please call the Waste Evaluation help line at (916) 322-7676. For proper disposal, click here.
Mercury-Containing Devices - Such as thermostats, switches, thermometers. For proper disposal, click here.
For more information on U-waste, please visit the Department of Toxic Substances control (DTSC) website.
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