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Where You Live
State-Specific Universal Waste Regulations
The table below has links to state regulations.
The universal waste regulations can vary between states and states can add different types of wastes.
The map shows the states that have universal waste regulations and which of those states have added different waste categories (in green).
- Links to State Universal Waste Regulations
- Why Universal Waste Regulations are Different in Some States
- Different Universal Wastes in States
- State Additions
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
Links to State Universal Waste Regulations
Note: Links to each state environmental regulating program are also
given since state regulations were not found or available for every state
that has adopted or is authorized for the universal waste rule. You may
need to search within the state site. These state links exit EPA.
| State Environmental Program | State Universal Waste Regulations | If Adopted the Rule | If Authorized for the Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Regulations (PDF) (1,059 pp, 3.7MB) | Yes | Yes |
| Alaska (uses Federal regulations) | Administered by EPA Region X | ||
| Arizona | Regulations R18-8-273 |
Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | Regulations Reg 23, Section 273 |
Yes | Yes |
| California | Regulations Chapter 23 |
Yes | No |
| Colorado | Regulations (PDF) (6 pp, 58K) |
Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | Regulations Section 22a-449(c)-113 (PDF) (131 pp, 531K) Incorporated by reference and has modifications |
Yes | Yes |
| State Environmental Program | State Universal Waste Regulations | If Adopted the Rule | If Authorized for the Rule |
| Delaware | Regulations (PDF) (19 pp, 83K) |
Yes | Yes |
| District of Columbia | no link | Yes | Yes |
| Florida |
62-730.185 Regulations (PDF) (28 pp, 138K) |
Yes | Yes |
| Georgia |
391-3-11.18 Regulations (PDF) (13 pp, 44K) uses Federal Rule |
Yes | Yes |
| Hawaii | Regulations (PDF) (29 pp, 156K) |
Yes | Yes |
| Idaho | 58.01.05-016 uses Federal Rule |
Yes | Yes |
| Illinois | Regulations (PDF) (42 pp, 144K) |
Yes | No |
| State Environmental Program | State's Universal Waste Regulations | If Adopted the Rule | If Authorized for the Rule |
| Indiana | Regulations [See also 329 IAC 3.1-16-1in Article 3.1 (PDF) (6 pp, 45K)] |
Yes | Yes |
| Iowa (uses Federal regulations) | Administered by EPA Region VII | ||
| Kansas | 28-31-15 Regulations (PDF) (19 pp, 83K) |
Yes | No |
| Kentucky | Regulations Guidance (PDF) (12 pp, 251K) |
Yes | No |
| Louisiana | Regulations (PDF) (705 pp, 5.6MB) |
Yes | Yes |
| Maine | Yes | Yes | |
| Maryland | Regulations COMAR 26.13.10.06 - 26.13.10.25 |
Yes | Yes |
| State Environmental Program | State's Universal Waste Regulations | If Adopted the Rule | If Authorized for the Rule |
| Massachusetts |
Regulations (PDF) (429 pp, 2.2MB) 30.1000 |
Yes | Yes |
| Michigan | R 299.9228 Regulations (PDF) (272 pp, 943K) |
Yes | Yes |
| Minnesota | Regulations Minn.R.7045.1400 |
Yes | Yes |
| Mississippi | Yes | Yes | |
| Missouri | Regulations (PDF) (5 pp, 23K) |
Yes | No |
| Montana | Regulations (PDF) (3 pp, 23K) |
Yes | Yes |
| Nebraska | Ch. 25, Title 128 Nebraska Hazardous Waste pages |
Yes | Yes |
| State Environmental Program | State's Universal Waste Regulations | If Adopted the Rule | If Authorized for the Rule |
| Nevada | no link | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Regulations | Yes | Yes |
| New Jersey | Regulations (PDF) (108 pp, 611K) Guidance |
Yes | No |
| New Mexico | Regulations 20.4.1.1000 Using Federal Rule |
Yes | Yes |
| New York | Regulations | Yes | Yes |
| North Carolina | Regulations - scroll down to universal waste management |
Yes | Yes |
| North Dakota | Regulations (PDF) (966 pp, 4.2MB) 33-24-05-701 similar to Federal Rule |
Yes | Yes |
| State Environmental Program | State's Universal Waste Regulations | If Adopted the Rule | If Authorized for the Rule |
| Ohio | 3745-273-01 Regulations |
Yes | Yes |
| Oklahoma | 252:205-3-2 Regulations (PDF) (19 pp, 87K) Using Federal Rule |
Yes | Yes |
| Oregon | Regulations | Yes | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Regulations | Yes | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Fact Sheet (PDF) (7 pp, 23K) |
Yes | Yes |
| South Carolina | Regulations (PDF) (14 pp, 135K, About PDF) | Yes | Yes |
| South Dakota | Regulations (Word) Chapter 74:28:33 uses Federal Rule |
Yes | Yes |
| State Environmental Program | State's Universal Waste Regulations | If Adopted the Rule | If Authorized for the Rule |
| Tennessee | Regulations (PDF) (28 pp, 106K) |
Yes | Yes |
| Texas | Yes | Yes | |
| Utah | Regulations |
Yes | Yes |
| Vermont | Regulations (PDF) (20 pp, 44K) |
Yes | Yes |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | |
| Washington | Regulations 173-303-573 |
Yes | Yes |
| West Virginia | uses Federal Rule | Yes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Regulations (PDF) (10 pp, 82K) |
Yes | Yes |
| Wyoming | Uses Federal Rule | Yes | Yes |
Adoptions/authorization status as of: June 7, 2006
The linked regulations may not be the most current.
Note, states do not have to include all of the federal universal wastes when the states adopt the rule (For example Maine and Washington did not include pesticides and North Dakota did not include thermostats).
Why Universal Waste Regulations Are Different in Some States
Like in most federal environmental legislation, EPA encourages states to develop and run their own hazardous waste programs as an alternative to direct EPA management.
- State adoption of the 1995 universal waste rule is optional because the rule is less stringent than the previous requirements under RCRA
- States can create different standards (except for batteries due to the Battery Act (PDF) (9 pp, 134 KB) , but they have to be equivalent to the federal regulations (i.e., they must provide equivalent protection, cannot regulate fewer handlers, etc.)
- States may adopt the entire rule or certain provisions, which are:
- General provisions
- Provisions for batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and lamps (states do not have to include all of them)
- Provisions allowing the addition of new universal wastes in states
The universal waste rule went into effect immediately in states and territories that are not RCRA-authorized including Iowa, Alaska,and Puerto Rico. State adoption of the 1995 universal wastes rule as well as subsequent federal universal wastes (e.g., lamps, mercury-containing equipment) are strongly encouraged.
| These Materials Are Classified as "Universal Waste" . . . | . . . In These States |
|---|---|
| Aerosol Cans | California, Colorado |
| Antifreeze | Louisiana, New Hampshire |
| Ballasts | Maine, Maryland, Vermont |
| Barometers | New Hampshire, Rhode Island |
| Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) | Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island |
| Electronics | Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey |
| Oil-Based Finishes | New Jersey |
| Paint and Paint-Related Wastes | Texas |
| Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals | Michigan |
| State | Batteries | Pesticides | Mercury Containing Equipment | Lamps | State Additions | Reg Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | X | X | X | X | DIVISION 14 335-14-11 | |
| Alaska (uses Federal regulations) | X | X | X | X | ||
| Arizona | X | X | X | X | R18-8-273 | |
| Arkansas | X | X | X | X | consumer electronic items; cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and other electronic wastes (excludes broken and crushed lamps/debris) | Regulation 23 |
| California | X | X | thermostats; waste cathode ray tube materials | R-97-08 | ||
| Colorado | X | aerosol cans; electronic devices and electronic components | ||||
| Connecticut | X | X | X | thermostats; lamps; used electronics | 22a-449(c)-100 through 119 | |
| State | Batteries | Pesticides | Mercury Containing Equipment | Lamps | State Additions | Reg Citation |
| Delaware | X | X | X | X | ||
| District of Columbia | X | X | X | X | ||
| Florida | X | X | X | X | universal pharmaceutical waste | 62-730.185 |
| Georgia | X | X | X | X | 391-3-11-.18 | |
| Hawaii | X | X | thermostats | 11-273 | ||
| Idaho | X | X | X | X | 58.01.05.016 | |
| Illinois | X | X | X | X | Part 733 | |
| State | Batteries | Pesticides | Mercury Containing Equipment | Lamps | State Additions | Reg Citation |
| Indiana | X | X | X | discarded mercury-containing thermostats; lamps-prohibition against intentionally breaking or crushing | ||
| Iowa (uses Federal regulations) | X | X | X | X | ||
| Kansas | X | X | X | X | ||
| Kentucky | X | X | X | X | Chapter 43.10 | |
| Louisiana | X | X | X | X | electronics; antifreeze | Title 33 Part V Chaper 38 |
| Maine | X | X | cathode ray tubes; mercury thermostats; motor vehicle mercury switches; totally enclosed, non leaking polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) ballast | |||
| Maryland | X | X | X | X | fluorescent light ballasts that contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | |
| State | Batteries | Pesticides | Mercury Containing Equipment | Lamps | State Additions | Reg Citation |
| Massachusetts | X | X | X | mercury-containing devices | 310 CMR 30.000 | |
| Michigan | X | X | X | X | antifreeze; consumer electronics; electric lamps; devices containing elemental mercury (including thermostats, switches, thermometers, manometers, barometers, anti-locking braking systems (ABS), gas flow regulators, hydrometers, blood pressure cuffs and various medical devices, etc); pharmaceuticals, including drugs for both human and veterinary use | |
| Minnesota | X | X | X | X | ||
| Mississippi | X | X | X | X | HW-1 | |
| Missouri | X | Batteries | 10 CSR 25-16.273 | |||
| Montana | X | X | X | X | requirements for treatment of electric lamps | ARM 17.53 SubChapter 13 |
| Nebraska | X | X | X | X | electronic items | Chapter 25 of Title 128 |
| State | Batteries | Pesticides | Mercury Containing Equipment | Lamps | State Additions | Reg Citation |
| Nevada | ||||||
| New Hampshire | X | X | X | X | cathode ray tubes; waste antifreeze | Env-Hw 1100 |
| New Jersey | X | X | X | X | oil-based finishes; consumer electronics | N.J.A.C. 7:26 Subchapter 1 |
| New Mexico | 20.4.1.1001 | |||||
| New York | X | X | X | thermostats | §374-3.1 | |
| North Carolina | X | X | X | X | 13A .0119 | |
| North Dakota | ||||||
| State | Batteries | Pesticides | Mercury Containing Equipment | Lamps | State Additions | Reg Citation |
| Ohio | X | X | X | X | OAC 3745 Chapter 273 | |
| Oklahoma | X | X | X | X | 252:205 | |
| Oregon | X | X | X | X | 340-113-0000 | |
| Pennsylvania | X | X | X | X | oil-based finishes | CHAPTER 266b |
| Rhode Island (PDF) (7 pp, 132K, About PDF) | X | X | X | X | thermostats; cathode ray tubes | DEM OWM-HW01-07 |
| South Carolina (PDF) (14 pp, 121K, About PDF) | ||||||
| South Dakota | 74:28:33:01 | |||||
| State | Batteries | Pesticides | Mercury Containing Equipment | Lamps | State Additions | Reg Citation |
| Tennessee | X | X | X | X | 1200-01-11-.12 | |
| Texas | X | X | X | X | mercury-containing equipment, including thermostats; paint and paint-related waste | Title 30 Part1 Chapter 335 Sub Chapter H, 5§335.261 |
| Utah | X | X | X | thermostats | R315-16 | |
| Vermont | X | X | X | X | thermostats; PCB-containing fluorescent light ballasts; cathode ray tubes | SUBCHAPTER 9 |
| Virginia | X | X | X | X | Universal waste lamps may be crushed or intentionally broken on the site of generation to reduce their volume; however, breaking, crushing, handling, and storage must occur in a safe and controlled manner that minimizes the release of mercury to the workplace and the environment and must comply with 29 CFR 1910.1000. | 9VAC20-60-273. |
| Washington | X | X | X | WAC 173-303-573 | ||
| West Virginia | X | X | X | X | §33-20-13 | |
| Wisconsin | X | X | X | thermostats | NR 673 | |
| Wyoming | X | X | X | X | Ch. 14 |