To a certain extent, regulating universal waste disposal in New England is a collective effort involving both the EPA and individual state environmental agencies. While the EPA’s universal waste regulations, as defined in 40 CFR Part 273, set the federal baseline standards, each of the six New England states has its own hazardous waste programs, with authority to adopt and expand upon these regulations to address specific environmental concerns.
What is the EPA’s Universal Waste Disposal Program?
The Universal Waste Disposal Program is the EPA’s set of regulations to streamline hazardous waste management standards for specific categories of hazardous waste. This is intended to reduce the amount of hazardous waste sent to landfills and alleviate regulatory burdens on businesses. On a federal level, the universal waste regulations apply to five types of universal waste: batteries, lamps, pesticides, aerosol cans, and mercury-containing equipment.
Rules For Handling the EPA’s Five Universal Wastes That States Must Follow
Batteries
The universal waste regulations for batteries cover collecting, storing, and recycling hazardous batteries, such as lead-acid, lithium-ion, and nickel-cadmium. Handlers must label containers as “Universal Waste – Batteries,” store them in non-leaking, closed containers, and ensure proper employee training for safe handling. As a universal waste, batteries cannot be discarded in landfills and must be transported to authorized destination facilities within one year of accumulation.
Lamps
Regulations of lamps as a universal waste cover fluorescent, high-intensity discharge (HID), neon, mercury vapor, and LED lamps with hazardous components. To ensure safe disposal and recycling, handlers must store lamps in closed, labeled containers marked “Universal Waste – Lamps” to prevent breakage and follow proper training protocols to minimize mercury and hazardous material exposure. Lamps must also be transported to authorized recycling or disposal facilities within one year, and crushing them may require additional hazardous waste permits depending on state regulations.
Pesticides
The EPA’s universal pesticide waste regulations apply to recalled, unused, or obsolete pesticides that are part of a regulated collection or disposal program. As with other universal wastes, pesticides must be stored in labeled, leak-proof containers marked “Universal Waste – Pesticides” and follow safety guidelines to prevent spills or contamination. These pesticides must then be sent to an authorized treatment, storage, or disposal facility (TSDF) within one year, and handlers may not apply or dispose of them in a way that violates federal or state regulations.
Aerosol Cans
Aerosol cans are pressurized containers with potentially hazardous substances. To dispose, empty cans must be stored in structurally sound, non-leaking containers labeled “Universal Waste – Aerosol Cans.” They should not be punctured or drained unless approved equipment is used with proper hazardous waste management procedures by EPA guidelines. Aerosol cans must also be sent to an authorized destination facility for treatment and disposal within one year.
Mercury-Containing Equipment
The EPA’s universal waste regulations for mercury-containing equipment require that broken or non-functional equipment (e.g., thermostats, thermometers, and switches) containing mercury be handled carefully to avoid mercury contamination. As with other universal wastes, handlers must label equipment for disposal in a container marked “Universal Waste – Mercury-Containing Equipment” and store it in secure, non-leaking containers to prevent spills. If the equipment is broken, handlers must send it to an authorized recycler or disposal facility within one year, and any mercury spills or leaks must be cleaned up according to proper hazardous waste procedures.
State-Specific Universal Waste Disposal Regulations & Variations in New England
In addition to the five universal wastes, state-specific variations are allowed. Because present EPA requirements are less stringent than previous requirements, the EPA encourages states to develop their own hazardous waste programs. Except for batteries, states can create and establish different standards as long as they meet the equivalent federal regulations.
The universal waste system regulates four distinct groups of participants, each organized by those businesses and organizations that generate, transport, or handle universal waste. These four are small and large quantity handlers, transporters, and destination facilities, and each has its own set of rules and responsibilities. Therefore, states can add to the list of universal wastes to be managed but cannot reduce the groups of participants subject to the law.
Each of the New England states has regulated additional universal wastes. The disposal of cathode ray tubes is regulated as a universal waste in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. PCB ballasts are regulated in Maine and Vermont, antifreeze in New Hampshire, and electronics in Connecticut.
Contact the Experts at MLI Environmental
Universal waste disposal regulations throughout New England offer a streamlined approach for businesses and organizations to facilitate the proper disposal and recycling of particular commonly generated hazardous wastes. MLi Environmental is a leader in hazardous waste management, offering services throughout New England. For over twenty years we have helped businesses manage their universal wastes and ensure proper disposal. For more information on universal wastes or to learn how your business can streamline disposal processes, contact MLi Environmental today.
Last updated on November 26th, 2025 at 02:41 pm