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New Rules Effective Since February 2006
Until recently, households and some small businesses were allowed to put common batteries, electronic devices, and fluorescent light bulbs in the trash. Homeowners could also throw away mercury-containing thermostats. After February 8, however, these items must be treated like the hazardous universal wastes they are.
 What are Universal Wastes? Universal wastes are generated by several sectors of society and contain harmful chemicals that may harm people or the environment if not disposed of correctly.
Universal wastes include:
- Common Batteries AA, AAA, C cells, D cells and button batteries (e.g. hearing aid batteries).
These may contain a corrosive chemical that can cause burns as well as toxic heavy metals like cadmium. (Automotive type batteries are not universal waste. When they become waste, they are regulated under a different law.)
- Fluorescent Tubes and Bulbs and Other Mercury-Containing Lamps
Fluorescent light tubes and bulbs, high intensity discharge (HID), metal halide, sodium, and neon bulbs. These lights contain mercury vapor that may be released to the environment when they are broken. Mercury is a toxic metal that can cause harm to people and animals including nerve damage and birth defects. If mercury is released into the environment it can contaminate the air we breathe and enter streams, rivers, and the ocean, where it can contaminate fish that people eat.
- Thermostats
There is mercury inside the sealed glass "tilt switch" of the old style thermostats (not the newer electronic kind)
- Electronic Devices
such as: televisions and computer monitors, computers, printers, VCRs, cell phones, telephones, radios, and microwave ovens. These devices often contain heavy metals like lead, cadmium, copper, and chromium. Electrical Switches and Relays typically contain about 3.5 grams of mercury each. Mercury switches can be found in some chest freezers, pre-1972 washing machines, sump pumps, electric space heaters, clothes irons, silent light switches, automobile hood and trunk lights, and ABS brakes.
- Pilot Light Sensors
Mercury-containing switches are found in some gas appliances such as stoves, ovens, clothes dryers, water heaters, furnaces and space heaters.
- Mercury Gauges
Some gauges, such as barometers, manometers, blood pressure, and vacuum gauges contain mercury.
- Mercury-added Novelties
Examples include greeting cards that play music when opened; athletic shoes (made before 1997) with flashing lights in soles; and mercury maze games.
- Mercury Thermometers
Mercury thermometers typically contain about a half gram of mercury. Many health clinics, pharmacies and doctors offices have thermometer exchange programs that will give you a new mercury-free fever thermometer in exchange for your old one.
- Non-Empty Aerosol Cans that Contain Hazardous Materials
Many products in aerosol cans are toxic. And many aerosol cans contain flammables, like butane, as propellants for products like paint. If your aerosol can is labeled with words like TOXIC or FLAMMABLE dont put it in the trash unless it is completely empty.
Answers to Common Questions What happens if I throw universal waste in the garbage?
Like used motor oil and paint, universal waste is a kind of hazardous waste. It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage. In addition, by throwing universal waste in the garbage, you can cause additional hazards to your garbage handler. Eventually, chemicals in illegally disposed hazardous waste can be released into the environment and contaminate our air, water, and possibly the food we eat.
If I can't throw this stuff in the trash how do I get rid of it?
Alameda County's Household Hazardous Waste Program collects universal waste as its drop-off facilities. For detailed information, log onto www.StopWaste.org or call 1-877-STOPWASTE. Additionally, ACI collects household batteries at its local office (2307 Blanding Ave, Suite B); please call ahead for office hours or directions (510/483-1400).
Many retailers also collect certain universal wastes. Next time you visit your favorite store, be sure to ask if they have any collection/recycling programs available for their customers.
Municipal Battery Recycling Program
In an effort to make it easier for residents to properly discard these items, the City of Alameda's Public Works Department has partnered with local businesses and the community to provide drop-off locations.
Alameda residents may drop-off alkaline, rechargeable, and lithium batteries at any of the following locations:
- City Hall - 2263 Santa Clara Avenue
- City Hall West - 950 W Mall Square (Alameda Point)
- Alameda Free Library - 1550 Oak Street
- Mastick Senior Center - 1155 Santa Clara Avenue
- Pagano's Hardware Mart - 1100 Lincoln Avenue
- Encinal Hardware - 2801 Encinal Avenue
- Alameda County Industries - 2307 Blanding Avenue, Suite B
There is no charge for this program. Residents who wish to dispose of their batteries should tape the contacts on both ends prior to bringing them to the drop-off receptacles. For additional information on collection of solid waste and recyclable materials or other similar services, please call ACI at 510-483-1400 or the City of Alameda Public Works Department at 510-749-5840.
How do I know if a particular electronic device cant be thrown in the trash?
The DTSC has tested many electronic devices including: tube-type and flat panel televisions and computer monitors, laptop computers, computers (CPUs), printers, radios, microwave ovens, VCRs, cell phones, cordless phones, and telephone answering machines. The devices that DTSC tested contained concentrations of metals (lead and copper) high enough to make them hazardous wastes when they are discarded. Unless you are sure they are not hazardous, you should presume these types of devices need to be recycled or disposed of as hazardous waste and that they may not be thrown in the trash. For additional assistance, you can call the Waste Evaluation help line at (916) 322-7676 or 1-877-STOPWASTE.
Source:http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/UniversalWaste/.
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal for Alamedans
Residents of Alameda County can safely and conveniently dispose of household hazardous waste safely, conveniently, and free at disposal centers located in Oakland, Hayward and Livermore. [ read more ]
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program
The Household Hazardous Waste program in Alameda County enables residents to disposal of household hazardous wastes conveniently, safely, and free. For information you may call either 800-606-6606/540-670-6460 or visit www.household-hazwaste.org. Below is a simple protocol for inquiries about the new UW regs:
Batteries and fluorescent lamps
CED's (SB20/50 reimbursable CRT/LCD devices)
Other electronic devices
For more information about the regulations
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