Fill up containers with bulbs, ballasts, batteries, or e-waste at your own pace and mail back via prepaid shipping.
For larger amounts of bulbs, ballasts, batteries, or e-waste. Trucks come pick up waste at your location for recycling.
The stringency table below provides examples of state regulations compared to the EPA regulations. We strongly recommend that you discuss stringency with your primary state regulatory contact. This information should not be interpreted as definitive legal guidance. This document was produced in June 2004, and we do not guarantee its accuracy after that date, as state policies may change at any time.
("same" means the state policy is the same as the federal policy)
Jurisdiction: Federal EPA
Generator Exemption (CESQG): Generators producing less than 100 kg (220 pounds) of hazardous waste (HW) or 1 kg acute HW in each month, including all HW generated. CESQGs are exempt from federal rules, but not exempt from liability (40 CFR 261.5)
Where can waste from CESQG go? Waste may go to any Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF)
Can the waste be declared non-hazardous, based on TCLP? Wastes that test less than 0.2mg/l soluble mercury are not considered hazardous under federal rules.
Other stringency or exemptions? Crushing can only be done by generator (40 CFR 262.34); crushed waste that is not UW- must be managed as RCRA HW. Crushing not allowed within federal UWR, but may be within State UW regulations. No one may crush third-party lamps without treatment authorization [1]. No mobile treatment units.
Jurisdiction: California
Generator Exemption (CESQG): Only for <30 lamps per month, other criteria apply.[2]
Where can waste from CESQG go? Waste must go to RCRA Sub-C facility (hazardous waste landfill) or state equivalent recycler
Can the waste be declared non-hazardous, based on TCLP? No. All waste lamps with mercury added are hazardous waste.
Other stringency or exemptions? No crushing allowed.
PRIMARY CONTACT
Sarah Scott - Hazardous Substances Scientist
Agency Address: Dept. of Toxic Substances Control, Regulatory and Program Development Branch, 1001 I St., PO Box 806, Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 324-3159
Email: sscotti@dtsc.ca.gov
SECONDARY CONTACTS
Mary Kathleen Pride - Hazardous Substances Pollution Preventon Scientist
Phone: (916) 324-1088
Area of Responsibility: Hospital Pollution
Peggy Harris - Chief, Regulatory and Program Development Division
Phone: (916) 324-7663
Mike Horner - Senior Hazardous Substances Scientist
Phone: (916) 322-7889
Area of Responsibility: Answers policy questions
Karl Palmer - Chief, Regulatory Program Development Branch, Regulatory and Program Development Division
Phone: (916) 445-2625
Toll Free Public & Business Liaison Hotline
Phone: 1-800-728-6942
Guidance Paper (PDF)
New Universal Waste website, January 2006
State Mercury Regulations
CA Dept. of Toxic Substance Control Homepage
Universal Waste Rule, Final - California Universal Waste Rule
Managing Spent Fluorescent Lamps Best Practices
DTSC Online Training Link