Universal Waste Requirements

In 1995, the U.S. EPA adopted standards for the management of three Universal Wastes. Those rules were set forth in Part 273 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).  In January of 1997, Montana adopted Universal Waste regulations covering the original three wastes and one additional waste.  The following information provides an overview of the regulations and may help you determine your regulatory status and requirements.

Please review the Overview Chart for a brief synopsis of these requirements.

You may view and/or print the following lists of available services in either Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word:

Please contact your County Regulatory Personnel for more information.

UNIVERSAL WASTES(UW) are specific hazardous wastes which are destined for recycling.  They include:

  1. Spent batteries other than lead-acid batteries;
  2. Suspended or cancelled pesticides which are subject to a recall, or pesticides which are collected or managed as part of a waste pesticide collection program;
  3. Mercury containing thermostats; and
  4. Spent electric tubes or bulbs which are hazardous due to heavy metals.

Universal Waste Management **  falls into several categories under the following definitions:

  • UW Generator:  is any person, by site, whose actions first produce a UW;
  • Small Quantity UW Handler:  receives UW from other handlers and sends it to other UW facilities, and never accumulates more than 5,000 kilograms of UW at any time;
  • Large Quantity UW Handler:  receives UW from other handlers and send it to other UW facilities, and accumulates more than 5,000 kilograms of UW at any time;
  • UW Transporter:  transports UW by air, rail, highway or water;
  • UW Transfer Facility:  is a transportation related site, where UW may be held, during transportation, for now more than 10 days;
  • UW Destination Facility:  treats, recycles or disposes of the UW.

** Note:  Household waste is not regulated as either a hazardous or a universal waste

UW Generator and Small Quantity UW Handler Requirements

  • May not dispose of UW.
  • May not intentionally dilute or treat UW.
  • Must manage UW so as to prevent releases.
  • Must immediately contain any releases of UW.  If releases are hazardous waste, must manage as hazardous waste.
  • Must mark containers to identify specific type of UW.
  • May not hold UW for longer than one year unless necessary to facilitate proper recovery.
  • Must demonstrate length of time any UW is in accumulation.
  • Must inform employees regarding proper handling of UW and emergency procedures.
  • May ship only to other UW Handlers, UW Destination Facilities or foreign destination.
  • Must comply with U.S. DOT shipping requirements.

Large Quantity UW Handler Requirements

  • May not dispose of UW.
  • May not intentionally dilute or treat UW.
  • May, within strict limits, crush spent lamps.
  • Must notify MT DEQ of activities.
  • Must manage UW so as to prevent releases.
  • Must immediately contain any releases of UW.  If releases are hazardous waste, must manage as hazardous waste.
  • Must mark containers to identify specific type of UW.
  • May not hold UW for longer than one year unless necessary to facilitate proper recover.
  • Must demonstrate length of time any UW is in accumulation.
  • Must ensure employees are thoroughly familiar with proper UW handling and emergency procedures.
  • May ship UW only to other UW Handlers, UW Destination Facility or foreign destination.
  • Must comply with U.S. DOT shipping requirements.
  • Must maintain, for at least three years, records of  each shipment of UW received at or shipped from facility.

Universal Waste Transporter Requirements

  • May not dispose of UW.
  • May not intentionally dilute or treat UW.
  • Must comply with U.S. DOT shipping requirements.
  • May not hold shipment at any single transfer site for more than ten days.
  • Must immediately contain any releases.  If releases are  hazardous waste, must manage as hazardous waste.
  • May transport UW only to UW Handler, UW Destination  Facility or foreign destination.

Universal Waste Transfer Facility Requirements

  • If UW held more than ten days, then must comply with appropriate Small Quantity Handler or Large Quantity Handler requirements.

Universal Waste Destination Facility Requirements

  • Must comply with requirements for Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage or Disposal Facilities.
  • May ship UW only to other UW Handlers, UW Destination Facilities or foreign facilities.
  • Must maintain, for at least three years, records for each shipment of UW received.