Universal Waste Recycling Near Me, Waste Disposal near me

BATTERIES

Includes rechargeable and non-rechargeable types such as lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and others.
Excludes spent lead-acid batteries managed under separate rules.
Pesticides
See Applicability Details

LAMPS

Universal waste lamps include any hazardous waste bulb or tube portion of an electrical lighting device, including: fluorescent, high intensity discharge (HID), mercury vapor, low and high pressure sodium (LPS and HPS), metal halide, and neon lamps (‘neon’ lamps also include those containing other noble gases such as argon, krypton, or xenon).

See Applicability Details

AEROSOL CANS

Non-refillable containers that dispense substances using compressed gas
Often hazardous due to flammable propellants or toxic content
See Applicability Details

MERCURY-CONTAINING EQUIPMENT

Includes thermostats, barometers, and other devices with elemental mercury integral to their function
Excludes items where mercury has been removed or that are not hazardous
See Applicability Details

PESTICIDES

Applies to recalled, suspended, or canceled pesticides, or those collected in waste pesticide programs
Mercury-Containing Equipment
See Applicability Details

Illinois has made state-specific additions to the federal universal waste rules under Title 35 of the Illinois Administrative Code, Part 733. Here are the key updates and additions:

In addition to the federal categories (batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, lamps, and aerosol cans), Illinois has added:

1. Paint and Paint-Related Waste (PPRW)

As of January 1, 2025, Public Act 103-887 allows post-consumer paint to be managed as universal waste.
This includes oil-based paints, which are now eligible for streamlined handling under universal waste rules.
The Illinois EPA proposed rules to include PPRW in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 733, and the Pollution Control Board accepted the proposal for public hearing and comment

2. Household and Very Small Quantity Generator Waste

Illinois also includes certain household hazardous wastes and wastes from very small quantity generators (VSQGs) under its universal waste program

In Iowa, universal waste regulations follow the federal standards outlined in 40 CFR Part 273, with some state-specific guidance provided by the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Special Notes on Aerosol Cans

Can be recycled as scrap metal.
Facilities may puncture cans if they follow specific safety practices.
Punctured cans must undergo hazardous waste determination.
Must be labeled as:
- “Universal Waste—Aerosol Can(s)”
- “Waste Aerosol Can(s)”
- “Used Aerosol Can(s)”

Minnesota has added three additional waste types to its universal waste program:

Dental amalgam being recycled
Disposable compressed gas cylinders
Pretreated dental wastewater

These additions are permitted under the authority of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and are subject to reduced hazardous waste requirements if managed properly.

Minnesota has made several adjustments to the federal rules:

Petition Process Not Adopted: Minnesota does not adopt the federal petition process for adding new universal wastes (40 CFR §§273.80–273.81)
Conditionally Exempt Generators: Minnesota does not adopt 40 CFR §273.8 regarding conditionally exempt small quantity generators

GREEN TIP FLUORESCENT LAMPS
Some fluorescent lamps are designed to pass the hazardous waste test for mercury and are labeled as 'low mercury' or have green-colored metal end caps, known as 'green tips'. These lamps do still contain mercury, and in Minnesota must be recycled and are prohibited from solid waste.

Obtain a Hazardous Waste Identification Number (HWID): http://www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/w-hw1-02.pdf

Nebraska follows the federal universal waste rules under 40 CFR Part 273, but has made state-specific additions and clarifications in Title 128, Chapter 25 of the Nebraska Administrative Code.

The Nebraska standards for Universal Waste Management can be found, here

Resources:

Universal Waste Regulations Official Guidance Document

Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE)

Wisconsin has adopted the federal universal waste rules under 40 CFR Part 273, but has also made state-specific additions and modifications under Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter NR 673.

The Wisconsin DNR provides many resources to properly handle Wisconsin Universal Waste:

Handling batteries
Managing lamps
Mercury-containing equipment
Pesticides and aerosol cans
Full Rule Update

Key Management Requirements

Extended Storage Periods: Wisconsin allows longer accumulation times than federal rules.
Reduced Recordkeeping Burden: Simplified documentation for universal waste handlers.
Training and Safety: Businesses and institutions must follow best practices for safe collection, storage, and transport.
Transporter and Facility Requirements: Universal waste must be sent to licensed recycling or hazardous waste facilities

Kansas follows the federal universal waste rules under 40 CFR Part 273, but has made state-specific modifications through the Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R.) § 28-31-273.

State-Specific Modifications

Kansas adopts 40 CFR Part 273 as of July 1, 2006, with the following exclusions:
- All comments and notes from the federal rule.
- Subpart G (Petition process to add new universal wastes) is not adopted
Substitution of terms is made per K.A.R. 28-31-100 through 28-31-100s to align with Kansas-specific terminology

Additional Resources:

Kansas Department of Health & Environment

Kansas Bureau of Waste Management

Missouri has adopted the federal universal waste rules under 40 CFR Part 273, but with state-specific modifications and additions outlined in Title 10, Division 25, Chapter 16 of the Missouri Code of State Regulations.

State-Specific Additions and Modifications

Effective Date: Missouri adopted the Universal Waste Rule on January 31, 1999.
Regulatory Reference: Found in 10 CSR 25-16.273, which incorporates 40 CFR Part 273 by reference with Missouri-specific changes
No disposal in landfills: Disposal of hazardous waste in Missouri sanitary landfills has been illegal since January 1, 1994, except for very small amounts
Treatment Restrictions: Handlers must not treat or dilute universal waste (e.g., crushing mercury lamps) unless they have a Missouri Resource Recovery Certification or a hazardous waste permit

Missouri DNR Code of State Regulations

North Dakota has adopted the federal universal waste rules under 40 CFR Part 273, with state-specific implementation outlined in the North Dakota Administrative Code (NDAC) Chapter 33.1-24-05.

North Dakota has not added any additional waste types beyond those recognized federally.

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) oversees universal waste compliance through its Division of Waste Management. The Hazardous Waste Compliance Guide provides detailed instructions for generators and handlers

South Dakota has adopted the federal universal waste rules under 40 CFR Part 273, with state-specific implementation found in Administrative Rules of South Dakota (ARSD) Chapter 74:28:33.

The rules are enforced by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR)

MERCURY CONTAINING EQUIPMENT (MCE)

Mercury-containing equipment (MCE) is regulated as universal waste to streamline its collection and recycling. This includes devices like thermostats, barometers, and manometers that contain elemental mercury integral to their function.

Applicability (§273.4)
: Regulations apply once the equipment is considered waste—either when discarded or when the handler decides to discard it
Exemptions
: Equipment not yet waste, not hazardous, or with mercury components removed is not covered under this rule.

Regulations for Handlers

Small Quantity Handlers
must prevent releases and may remove ampules under strict containment and safety protocols.
Large Quantity Handlers
follow similar but more rigorous standards

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

RCRA governs hazardous waste from generation to disposal
. Mercury-containing waste is classified as hazardous and must meet EPA treatment and recycling standards. However, household waste is often exempt unless stricter state laws apply

Disposal & Transport Guidelines

Mercury must be stored in sealed containers with absorbent material and labeled clearly.
Transport should be secure and ventilated if in a passenger vehicle.
Disposal options include local hazardous waste collection programs or recycling centers

LED BULBS

Although the bulb portions of most light-emitting diodes (LEDs) lamps are not hazardous and thus not universal
waste lamps, the attached circuit boards are regulated electronic wastes in Minnesota. Some LED lamps closely
resemble fluorescent tubes, but may be labeled as ‘LED’ or have wiring or a string of LEDs visible in the tube
portion when brightly backlit.

PROPER CONTAINER (PACKAGING)

Waste must be stored in closed, structurally sound containers that are compatible with the type of waste.
Containers must be designed to prevent leaks, spills, and breakage.
For example:
- Lamps should be stored in boxes or drums that prevent breakage.
- Batteries should be kept in containers that prevent short-circuiting and leakage