Editing Hazardous waste (section)

== Types ==

=== Universal wastes ===
[[Universal waste]]s are a special category of hazardous wastes that (in the U.S.) generally pose a lower threat relative to other hazardous wastes, are ubiquitous and produced in very large quantities by a large number of generators. Some of the most common "universal wastes" are: [[Fluorescent lamp|fluorescent light bulbs]], some specialty [[battery (electricity)|batteries]] (e.g. lithium or lead containing batteries), [[cathode-ray tube]]s, and mercury-containing devices.

Universal wastes are subject to somewhat less stringent regulatory requirements. Small quantity generators of universal wastes may be classified as "conditionally exempt small quantity generators" (CESQGs) which release them from some of the regulatory requirements for the handling and storage hazardous wastes. Universal wastes must still be disposed of properly.

=== Household Hazardous Waste ===
[[File:December 3, 2012 – Household Hazardous Waste separated for proper disposal (8268772840).jpg|thumb|right|Household Hazardous Waste separated for proper disposal]]
[[File:December 3, 2012 – Large debris pile near to EPA’s ‘Household Hazardous Waste’ collection PAD (8267709723).jpg|thumb|right|Large debris pile near to EPA's 'Household Hazardous Waste' collection PAD]]
{{Main|Household Hazardous Waste}}
{{See also|Hazardous waste in the United States#Household Hazardous Waste|label 1=Hazardous waste in the United States}}

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), also referred to as domestic hazardous waste or home generated special materials, is a waste that is generated from residential households. HHW only applies to waste coming from the use of materials that are labeled for and sold for "home use". Waste generated by a company or at an industrial setting is not HHW.

The following list includes categories often applied to HHW. It is important to note that many of these categories overlap and that many household wastes can fall into multiple categories:

* [[Paint]]s and [[solvent]]s
* Automotive wastes (used [[motor oil]], [[antifreeze]], etc.)
* Pesticides ([[insecticide]]s, [[herbicide]]s, [[fungicide]]s, etc.)
* [[Mercury (element)|Mercury]]-containing wastes ([[thermometer]]s, [[switch]]es, [[Fluorescent lamp|fluorescent lighting]], etc.)
* Electronics ([[computer]]s, [[television]]s, [[mobile phone]]s)
* Aerosols / Propane cylinders
* Caustics / Cleaning agents
* [[Refrigerant]]-containing appliances
* Some specialty [[battery (electricity)|batteries]] (e.g. lithium, nickel cadmium, or button cell batteries)
* Ammunition
* [[Asbestos]]
* Car batteries
* [[Radioactive wastes]] (some home [[smoke detector]]s are classified as radioactive waste because they contain very small amounts of radioactive [[isotope]] [[americium]], e.g. [[americium-241]]).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mcmua.com/HazardousWaste/FAQ_Smoke_Detectors.htm |title=Hazardous Waste Management - Smoke Detectors |website=[[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]] Municipal Utilities Authority |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070414142357/http://www.mcmua.com/HazardousWaste/FAQ_Smoke_Detectors.htm |archive-date=April 14, 2007}}</ref>