Universal waste is a special category of hazardous waste that includes commonly used items that can be found in schools, offices, labs, and homes, such as fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, aerosol cans, and equipment containing mercury.
These items are called “universal” because they’re widely used, and many people or organizations generate them in small amounts. Even though they may seem harmless, they can become dangerous to people and the environment if not handled properly.
Many universal waste items contain hazardous chemicals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, lithium, or flammable gases. When these items break or leak:
- Toxic substances can be released into the air, soil, or water.
- Fires or chemical reactions may occur, especially with lithium batteries or aerosol cans.
- Health risks increase for students, staff, building service workers, and maintenance crews.
- It can lead to violations of environmental laws and costly cleanups or fines.
To prevent these risks, federal and state regulations (like those from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] and Illinois EPA) require that universal waste be collected, stored, labeled, and disposed of properly.
Common types of universal waste include:
- Used fluorescent lamps and lighting devices (can contain mercury)
- Batteries (especially lithium-ion, Ni-Cd, and lead-acid)
- Aerosol cans (contain pressurized gases and flammable chemicals)
- Mercury-containing equipment (like thermostats or gauges)
- Pesticides (includes recalled and unused)
For any questions regarding universal waste, contact Environmental Health and Safety at (309) 438-8325 or sysenvironmental@ilstu.edu. For any emergencies, call 911.