Universal waste is a regulatory term. Depending on your jurisdiction, different items and wastes may be considered “universal waste.” At the federal level, universal wastes include: batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and mercury lamps. States may classify additional products and wastes as universal wastes. For example, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, and New Jersey classify electronics as universal waste. More information on universal wastes.
Depending on what you’re looking to track and your jurisdiction, you may use one or more of the following material categories for tracking universal waste:
- lamps/light bulbs
- batteries
- electronics
- "Other"