TO REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES: Visit Calling Non-Emergency or 911 (Department of Public Safety Communications) for instructions.
Hazardous wastes from businesses are regulated separately and may not be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Program.
FREE disposal of household hazardous waste is available to Fairfax County residents only.
Universal waste is a subset of hazardous waste and contains mercury, lead, cadmium, copper and other substances hazardous to human and environmental health. Universal wastes are generated from a wide variety of sources (i.e., individuals, government agencies, hospitals, businesses, etc.) in a variety of settings, not just in traditional industrial settings.
In 1995, U.S. EPA developed an alternate, streamlined management program to encourage the collection and recycling of these commonly generated hazardous wastes. The federal universal waste regulations can be found in 40 CFR Part 273. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has adopted the federal universal waste regulations by reference with a few additional requirements. The DEQ regulations can be found at 9VAC20-60-273.
Managing qualifying hazardous wastes as universal waste is optional. Generators have the choice to manage hazardous wastes that fit into the categories of universal waste as universal wastes in Part 273 or under the full set of hazardous waste regulations. For a full understanding of the regulatory requirements of universal waste, read Universal Waste Requirements | Virginia DEQ.
Examples of Universal Waste Include:
