Hazardous waste may be generated from laboratory operations, facilities operations and maintenance, construction and renovation activities, photo processing, and a variety of other activities at UNC Charlotte. Hazardous waste is a particular class of "solid" waste (which includes solid, liquid, or gaseous material) which, if improperly managed, poses a substantial threat or potential hazard to human health and the environment. Typical hazardous wastes generated at UNC Charlotte include, but are not limited to: spent solvents, waste laboratory chemicals, waste paint, and universal wastes. Please refer to the hazardous waste fact sheet for more information.
Universal waste is a special category of hazardous waste that is managed differently from other types of hazardous wastes detailed in the above paragraph. This category of hazardous wastes is less stringently regulated due to the fact that they generally pose a lower threat to human health and the environment than other hazardous waste streams. Universal waste streams include many different types of batteries, some pesticides, mercury-containing equipment including thermostats, used oil, non-crushable fluorescent bulbs and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps. Please refer to the universal waste fact sheet for more information on how these wastes are handled at UNC Charlotte.