EPA Regulatory Information

TerraCycle Regulated Waste provides the information in this section in order to familiarize TCRWUSA.com users with the regulations governing lamp disposal, and to identify for TCRWUSA.com users the government agency that may regulate their operations. TCRWUSA.com users may use this information as a starting point to determine how their facilities are regulated. Customers are cautioned against relying solely on the information contained below and should contact their state environmental protection agency for more information to determine how lamps are regulated in the states in which they operate.

• Regulations Summary
• Why is mercury an environmental concern?
• How do I know if my waste is hazardous?
• What's Hazardous?
• What are Universal Wastes?
• Does Quantity Matter?
• How do I get more information on these regulations and fluorescent lamp recycling

Mercury produces a hazardous waste. Every form of it is toxic and yet mercury is an essential element in millions of fluorescent lamps throughout the United States and millions more throughout the world. State and federal regulatory agencies are working to reduce mercury releases to the environment. Since January 1, 2000, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has allowed for spent lamps to be managed as Universal Wastes. The Universal Waste Rules (UWR) are designed in part to simplify the management of mercury-containing wastes including spent fluorescent lamps. The Rules are also intended to encourage recycling, thereby reducing mercury emissions to the environment.

As an alternative to managing lamps as universal wastes, a facility may elect to manage its spent lamps as hazardous wastes. Hazardous waste rules - like the universal waste rules - are promulgated under the federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) and state laws equivalent to RCRA. RCRA regulates hazardous wastes "from the cradle to the grave." RCRA Subtitle C requires a waste generator to properly identify, treat, store, transport and dispose of hazardous wastes. The USEPA oversees the RCRA program but has delegated to the States the responsibility for the day-to-day management of the program. (See State EPA office website links below for more information concerning RCRA and the State agencies which administer RCRA.)

TerraCycle Regulated Waste understands that you may have questions about the regulations concerning waste disposal. We are frequently asked many questions. Listed below are some of the more common questions. Please click on the link to read the answer.

Please contact us today to learn more about the regulations and how we can help.