All Courses Training Packages Enterprise Request a Quote
Industries
Construction Manufacturing Municipal & Utilities Oil & Gas Transportation Healthcare Office & Corporate
Course Categories
Safety Training Construction Safety HR Compliance HAZMAT & HAZWOPER Driver & Fleet Safety Workplace Culture & Soft Skills Healthcare & Patient Safety Environmental Compliance
Sign In
Create Your Employer Account

Universal Waste Collecting, Processing & Recycling

28 minutesENSafety Training40 CFR Part 273 - EPA Universal Waste Management Standards
Quick Answer

Universal Waste Collecting, Processing & Recycling is a 28-minute online course that trains employees on the proper collection, processing, and recycling of universal wastes under EPA's federal regulations at 40 CFR Part 273, including batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, lamps, and aerosol cans. It is designed for facility workers and environmental compliance staff at organizations that generate or handle universal waste and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

EPA's universal waste regulations provide a streamlined alternative to the full hazardous waste management requirements for five categories of commonly generated hazardous waste: batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, lamps, and aerosol cans. While the universal waste framework eases the regulatory burden, it still requires proper labeling, accumulation time tracking, employee training, and release prevention. Facilities that mismanage universal waste - treating it as ordinary trash or exceeding accumulation limits - lose the streamlined handling privilege and become subject to the full hazardous waste management requirements under 40 CFR Parts 260-272, with EPA penalties for RCRA violations reaching $70,117 per day of violation.

This course trains your employees on the correct procedures for collecting, labeling, storing, processing, and recycling each category of universal waste covered under 40 CFR Part 273. Your team will learn the differences between small quantity handler and large quantity handler requirements, accumulation time limits, labeling and marking requirements, and proper response procedures for spills and releases. The course includes recently added aerosol can regulations and addresses electronic waste where applicable under state universal waste programs.

What You'll Learn

  • The five categories of federal universal waste: batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, lamps, and aerosol cans
  • Small quantity handler versus large quantity handler requirements under 40 CFR Part 273
  • Labeling and marking requirements for universal waste containers and individual items
  • One-year accumulation time limits and documentation requirements
  • Employee training obligations for both small and large quantity handlers
  • Spill response and release prevention procedures for each waste category
  • Shipping, tracking, and recordkeeping requirements for universal waste
  • How state universal waste programs may add additional waste categories or requirements

Who Needs This Training

  • Facility maintenance workers who collect and store spent batteries, lamps, and aerosol cans
  • Environmental compliance officers responsible for universal waste program management
  • Warehouse and receiving personnel who handle mercury-containing equipment disposal
  • Janitorial and facilities staff involved in fluorescent lamp replacement and disposal
  • Safety coordinators developing waste management training programs
  • Operations managers at facilities generating universal waste across multiple departments

Regulatory Background

EPA's universal waste regulations at 40 CFR Part 273 establish streamlined management standards for five categories of commonly generated hazardous waste: batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, lamps, and aerosol cans (added in 2019). The regulations distinguish between small quantity handlers (accumulating less than 5,000 kg at any time) and large quantity handlers (5,000 kg or more), with large quantity handlers facing additional requirements including EPA notification, employee training documentation, and shipment tracking. All handlers must prevent environmental releases, label containers with the words "Universal Waste" and the waste type, and comply with a one-year accumulation time limit. Large quantity handlers must ensure that employees who handle or manage universal waste are trained on proper handling and emergency procedures. States may add waste categories beyond the federal five - many states have added electronics, paint, and other materials. Facilities that fail to comply with universal waste requirements may lose the streamlined handling privilege and become subject to full RCRA hazardous waste requirements, with civil penalties up to $70,117 per day of violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The federal universal waste regulations at 40 CFR Part 273 cover five categories: batteries (excluding spent lead-acid batteries managed for reclamation under 40 CFR 266 Subpart G), pesticides, mercury-containing equipment (such as thermostats and switches), lamps (including fluorescent tubes and high-intensity discharge lamps), and aerosol cans (added to the federal program in 2019). Individual states may add additional categories under their own universal waste programs.
A small quantity handler accumulates less than 5,000 kilograms (approximately 11,000 pounds) of total universal waste at any time. A large quantity handler accumulates 5,000 kg or more. Large quantity handlers must notify EPA and obtain an EPA identification number, maintain documented employee training programs, and track shipments of universal waste. Small quantity handlers have fewer administrative requirements but must still comply with labeling, accumulation limits, and release prevention requirements.
Under 40 CFR 273.15 and 273.35, both small and large quantity handlers may accumulate universal waste for up to one year from the date the waste is generated or received. Facilities must be able to demonstrate the accumulation start date, typically through date labels on containers or an inventory tracking system. Accumulation beyond one year is permitted only if the facility can demonstrate the extended period is necessary to accumulate sufficient quantities for economical recycling or disposal.
Facilities that fail to comply with universal waste management requirements - such as exceeding accumulation time limits, failing to label containers, or improperly disposing of universal waste - may lose the streamlined handling privilege under 40 CFR Part 273. The waste would then be subject to full RCRA hazardous waste management requirements under 40 CFR Parts 260-272, which impose significantly more stringent and costly requirements. EPA can also assess civil penalties up to $70,117 per day of violation for RCRA noncompliance.
Yes. Large quantity handlers must ensure that all employees who handle or have management responsibility for universal waste are thoroughly familiar with proper handling and emergency procedures relevant to their responsibilities (40 CFR 273.36). Small quantity handlers must inform all employees who handle or manage universal waste of proper handling and emergency procedures (40 CFR 273.16). The large quantity handler requirement is more prescriptive and typically requires documented training records.
$29.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$29.95
10 - 24$23.95
25 - 49$21.55
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $29.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

$29.95
per person