Universal wastes are a subset of hazardous wastes that may be accumulated and transported in Minnesota
under reduced requirements. These wastes, referred to as universal wastes because almost every business
and government agency generates them, are regulated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and include lamps, batteries, aerosols, pesticides, and mercury-containing equipment.
Fluorescent Lamp (and other Light Bulb) Management on Campus
All fluorescent lamps and some other types of lamps contain small amounts of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. These items include fluorescent straight tubes, u-tubes, o-tubes, and compact fluorescent lamps (CFL); and high intensity discharge lamps, metal halide lamps, sodium vapor lamps, and UV lamps.
This guide focuses on (1) the storage on campus of new fluorescent lamps, and (2) the collection, labeling, and temporary storage of used fluorescent lamps prior to their recycling as per the requirements of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Universal Waste Program.
- The disposal of other mercury-containing lamps, when encountered on campus, will be handled in the same manner as described for used fluorescent lamps.
- Mercury-containing lamps that are broken must be managed separately as Hazardous Waste.
Batteries
Universal waste batteries include any electrochemical storage device that consists of an anode, cathode, and electrolyte and that would be hazardous waste when discarded, including both disposable and rechargeable categories of: lead-acid, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd, or NiCad), lithium, lithium-ion, silver-containing, and mercury-containing batteries.
Aerosols and Compressed Gas Cylinders
Universal waste aerosols include any pressurized containers used to dispense liquid or gaseous products with a propellant or product that would be hazardous waste when discarded.
Universal waste compressed gas cylinders in Minnesota include any non-refillable (disposable) compressed gas cylinder with a product that would be hazardous waste when discarded.
Pesticides
Pesticides in Minnesota include fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, nematicides, and rodenticides. Universal waste pesticides are pesticides that would be hazardous waste when discarded.
Universal waste pesticides do not include pesticides used for their intended purpose in accordance with their label instructions and Minnesota Department of Agriculture standards.
Mercury-Containing Equipment
Universal waste mercury-containing equipment is any discarded device that contains liquid mercury integral to its function, including: thermometers, thermostats, barometers, pressure gauges, switches, relays, and pump seals. St. Olaf College actively works to become a “mercury-free” workplace, and replaces mercury-containing devices when they are discovered.
Lamps that contain gaseous or powdered mercury are universal waste lamps, not mercury-containing equipment.
Batteries that contain powdered or amalgamated mercury are universal waste batteries, not mercury-containing equipment.