Universal Waste (U-Waste)

All “universal waste” materials are banned from the trash. If not disposed of properly, these items will release toxic substances that find their way into our air, water and eventually into the food we eat.

What is Universal Waste?
  • All batteries
  • Fluorescent lamps & tubes
  • Items containing mercury: thermostats, thermometers, switches (e.g. pilot light sensors, clothes irons, blood pressure gauge, novelties such as maze games & talking greeting cards)
  • Electronic devices with a digital component

Why is Universal Waste a Problem?
U-Waste contains a variety of hazardous and toxic materials, including lead, mercury and cadmium.  U-waste is banned from thet trash because these toxic materials can be released, posing a risk to public health & the environment.

  • A TV or computer monitor contains 7 lbs of lead!
  • Mercury and other substances released into the air and water are toxic to wildlife & humans. Mercury is easily absorbed through the lungs and skin.  A single broken mercury thermometer can contaminate up to 5 million gallons of water!
  • The mercury from one fluorescent bulb can ruin 6,000 gallons of drinking water.
U-Waste Recycling
Take u-waste to these local facilities.  Some facilities accept both u-waste and e-waste.  Click here for all battery drop-off locations. 

Napa-Vallejo Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
889A Devlin Road, American Canyon, 1-800-984-9661
Hours: Every Fri & Sat 9am–4pm
Mercury containing items, fluorescent lamps/tubes & all batteries. HOUSEHOLDS: No appointment / no charge.
BUSINESSES: Call for appointment / charge for service.  Click here for detailed business recycling options.

Napa Recycling & Composting Facility
820 Levitin Way, American Canyon, 707-255-5200
Daily Hours: 8am–4pm
E-waste:  Free drop off at facility or call for curbside collection for a fee.

Clover Flat Landfill
4380 Silverado Trail, Calistoga 707-963-7988
Hours: Tues-Sat 9am–4pm; Sun 9am–3pm
Free e-waste drop off.  Household generated batteries & fluorescent lamps also accepted (no business-generated batteries and fluorescent lamps).

Home Depot
225 Soscol Ave., Napa; 251-0162
Compact fluorescent bulbs and rechargeable batteries - take them to the returns desk.  No fluorescent tubes or non-rechargeable batteries accepted.

Central Valley Builders Supply
1790 Soscol Ave., Napa; 257-8888
1100 Vintage Ave., St. Helena; 963-3622
Household generated batteries & fluorescent lamps and tubes (no business waste accepted).  Lamps and tubes cannot be loose and must be dropped off in boxes.

City of American Canyon Mercury Elimination Program
City of American Canyon Corporation Yard; 205 Wetlands Edge Road, American Canyon; 647-4550 
Hours:  M-F 8am-4pm
Replacement of fever thermometers, mercury thermostats and disposal of mercury products for residents only.

FRG Waste Resources, Inc.
100 Dodd Court, American Canyon; 1-877-374-9278
Hours:  M-F 8am-5pm; www.frgwaste.com
E-waste, fluorescent tubes, and batteries.  Business & public drop off and pick up.


Businesses can click here for a list of providers who handle fluorescent tubes or visit www.almr.org or www.lamprecycle.org for more information.


For additional resources, and to learn about "Take-it-Back" programs, check out:
California Product Stewardship Council, www.calpsc.org
Product Policy Institute, www.productpolicy.org
Napa County Dept. of Environmental Management 253-4471
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) 800-72TOXIC, www.dtsc.ca.gov

 

 

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