Page 576 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

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Universal Wastes 547
“Thermostat” means:
a temperature control device that contains metallic mercury in an ampule attached to a bimetal sensing
element, and mercury-containing ampules that have been removed from these temperature control
devices in compliance with the requirements of 40 CFR 273.13(c)(2) or 273.33(c)(2).

Many thermostats contain as much as 3g of liquid mercury and are located in commercial,
industrial, agricultural, community, and household buildings.
“Lamp”, also referred to as “universal waste lamp” is defined as:

the bulb or tube portion of an electric lighting device. A lamp is specifically designed to produce radi-
ant energy, most often in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Examples of common universal waste electric lamps include fluorescent, high intensity discharge, neon,
mercury vapor, high pressure sodium, and metal halide lamps.
Such universal waste lamps contain mercury and sometimes lead, and are found in homes and
businesses.

18.3 CATEGORIES OF UNIVERSAL WASTE HANDLERS
Management of universal wastes is similar for large- and small-quantity handlers. Differences occur
primarily with respect to notification, documentation, and employee training.

18.3.1 LARGE-QUANTITY HANDLERS OF UNIVERSAL WASTE

A “large-quantity handler” of universal wastes is defined as a facility that generates greater than
5000 kg (approx. 11,000 lb) of combined batteries, pesticides, thermostats, and lamps during a cal-
endar year. A large-quantity handler must provide written notification of universal waste manage-
ment to the state or federal environmental regulatory agency and must receive an EPA Identification
Number. Notification must include:
● The handler’s name and mailing address
● The name and business telephone number of a contact person at the facility
● The location of the universal waste management activities
● A list of all of the types and amounts of universal waste managed by the handler

18.3.2 SMALL-QUANTITY HANDLERS
A small-quantity handler of universal waste is permitted to generate not more than 5,000 kg of uni-
versal wastes in a calendar year. In contrast to large-quantity handlers, the small quantity handler
does not need to provide written notification of universal waste management to the state regulatory
agency. Similarly, there is no requirement to receive an EPA Identification Number. Additional
details about generator types and requirements are provided below.

18.4 MANAGEMENT OF UNIVERSAL WASTES

18.4.1 UNIVERSAL WASTE BATTERIES
In 1997, 753,000 metric tons (830,000 tons) of non-ferrous meterials other than aluminum were
recovered (U.S. EPA, 1999), most of this being composed of lead (Pb) recovered from batteries.
Automotive batteries are considered hazardous because they contain both Pb, in the form of metal-
lic Pb and PbO pastes, and sulfuric acid. Since 1987 the lead-acid battery has been one of the most
highly recycled products in the United States. More than 93% of Pb from spent batteries, approxi-
mately 900 million kg (2 billion lb) per year, is recycled in the production of new batteries (Exide,
2002). It is estimated that 94.3% of battery lead was recovered in 1997.