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California DTSC Rescinds Universal Waste Guidance

Posted on 12/31/2015 by Roger Marks

The California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) has officially rescinded hazardous waste guidance which had required facilities to count Universal Waste toward monthly generator status. The move follows new legislation in the California Health & Safety Code (HSC) which allows generators to exclude Universal Waste when calculating the volume of waste generated in a given month.  

Under US EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, Universal Waste is defined as common wastes like batteries, certain pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and lamps. California has expanded on the Federal definition to include electronic wastes like Cathode Ray Tues (CRTs), CRT glass, and aerosol cans.

See the rescinded guidance letter on DTSC’s website here.

managing universal waste in California

By excluding universal waste from counting toward generator status, DTSC is providing more flexibility for manufacturers and other hazardous waste generators in the State.  Sites that generate 1,000 or more kilograms of hazardous waste (which previously included universal waste) are required to meet stringent management standards, personnel training requirements, and emergency preparedness measures.

Expert Title 22 Training for CA Hazardous Waste Sites
If your site generates hazardous waste in California, knowing the Federal RCRA rules is not enough. California’s State Health & Safety Code and DTSC regulations set additional, State-specific requirements you must follow to avoid costly civil penalties and future liability.

Be confident you know the specific hazardous waste management and reporting rules that apply to industry in California.  At the Hazardous Waste in California Workshop, satisfy your EPA and DTSC training requirement, and get up to speed with the latest laws, rules, and CUPA interpretations that affect your business.

Upcoming sessions:  Los Angeles on January 7-8, Santa Barbara on January 11-12, San Francisco on January 11-12, and Fresno on January 14-15. See the full 2016 schedule. 

Tags: California, hazardous waste management, universal waste

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