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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
- List of Different Universal Wastes in States
| You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, to view the PDF files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader. |
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's Environmental Program | State's Universal Waste Regulations | If Adopted the Rule | If Authorized for the Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Regulations (MS Word) | 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's Environmental Program | State's 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 Regulations (PDF) (12 pp, 24K) uses Federal Rule |
Yes | Yes |
| Illinois | Regulations (PDF) (42 pp, 144K) |
Yes | No |
| State's
Environmental Program | State's Universal Waste Regulations | If Adopted the Rule | If Authorized for the Rule |
| Indiana | Regulations 329 IAC 3.1-16-1 in Article 3.1 |
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 | Regulations (Word) 3.A(13)(b) of Chapter 850 |
Yes | No |
| Maryland | Regulations COMAR 26.13.10.06 - 26.13.10.25 |
Yes | Yes |
| State's
Environmental Program | State's Universal Waste Regulations | If Adopted the Rule | If Authorized for the Rule |
| Massachusetts |
Regulations 30.1000 |
Yes | Yes |
| Michigan | R 299.9228 Regulations (PDF) (16 pp, 337K) |
Yes | Yes |
| Minnesota | Regulations Minn.R.7045.1400 |
Yes | Yes |
| Mississippi | Regulations HW-1 Part 273 |
Yes | No |
| Missouri | Regulations (PDF) (5 pp, 23K) |
Yes | No |
| Montana | Regulations (PDF) (3 pp, 23K) |
Yes | No |
| Nebraska | Ch. 25, Title 128 Nebraska Hazardous Waste pages |
Yes | Yes |
| State's
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 | No |
| 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 (PDF) (19 pp, 196K) |
Yes | Yes |
| North Dakota | Regulations(PDF) (966 pp, 4.2MB) 33-24-05-701 similar to Federal Rule |
Yes | No |
| State's
Environmental Program | State's Universal Waste Regulations | If Adopted the Rule | If Authorized for the Rule |
| Ohio | 3745-273-01 Regulations |
Yes | No |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| South Dakota | Regulations (Word) Chapter 74:28:33 uses Federal Rule |
Yes | Yes |
| State's
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 | Regulations | Yes | Yes |
| Utah | Regulations (PDF) (10 pp, 104K) |
Yes | Yes |
| Vermont | Regulations (PDF) (20 pp, 44K) |
Yes | Yes |
| Virginia | Regulations (PDF) (18 pp, 82K) |
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 |
Regulations (PDF) (24 pp, 61K) 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.
If you would like to suggest updates to the page, please send your comments to tesnau.tab@epa.gov.
List of Different Universal Wastes in States
| 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 |
