Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 600-699 - Environmental Protection - Hazardous Waste Management
Chapter NR 673 - Universal Waste Management Standards
Subchapter C - Large Quantity Handlers
Section NR 673.33 - Waste management

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง NR 673.33

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) UNIVERSAL WASTE BATTERIES. A large quantity handler of universal waste shall manage universal waste batteries in all of the following ways that prevent releases of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment:

(a) A large quantity handler of universal waste shall contain any universal waste battery that shows evidence of leakage, spillage or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions in a container. The container shall be closed, structurally sound, compatible with the contents of the battery and shall lack evidence of leakage, spillage or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions.

(b) A large quantity handler of universal waste may conduct any of the following activities as long as the casing of each individual battery cell is not breached and remains intact and closed (except that cells may be opened to remove electrolyte but shall be immediately closed after removal):
1. Sorting batteries by type.

2. Mixing battery types in one container.

3. Discharging batteries so as to remove the electric charge.

4. Regenerating used batteries.

5. Disassembling batteries or battery packs into individual batteries or cells.

6. Removing batteries from consumer products.

7. Removing electrolyte from batteries.

(c) A large quantity handler of universal waste who removes electrolyte from batteries, or who generates other solid waste (e.g., battery pack materials, discarded consumer products) as a result of the activities listed in par. (b), shall determine whether the electrolyte or other solid waste exhibits a characteristic of hazardous waste identified in subch. C of ch. NR 661.
1. If the electrolyte or other solid waste exhibits a characteristic of hazardous waste, it shall be managed in compliance with all applicable requirements of chs. NR 660 to 670. The handler is considered the generator of the hazardous electrolyte or other waste and is subject to ch. NR 662.

2. If the electrolyte or other solid waste is not hazardous, the handler may manage the waste in any way that is in compliance with chs. 287 and 289, Stats., chs. NR 500 to 524, and applicable federal or local solid waste regulations.

(2) UNIVERSAL WASTE PESTICIDES. A large quantity handler of universal waste shall manage universal waste pesticides in a way that prevents releases of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment. The universal waste pesticides shall be contained in one or more of the following:

(a) A container that remains closed, structurally sound, compatible with the pesticide and that lacks evidence of leakage, spillage or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions.

(b) A container that does not meet the requirements of par. (a), provided that the unacceptable container is overpacked in a container that does meet the requirements of par. (a).

(c) A tank that meets the requirements of subch. J of ch. NR 665, except for ss. NR 665.0197(3) and 665.0200.

(d) A transport vehicle or vessel that is closed, structurally sound, compatible with the pesticide and that lacks evidence of leakage, spillage or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions.

(3) MERCURY-CONTAINING EQUIPMENT. A large quantity handler of universal waste shall manage universal waste mercury-containing equipment in a way that prevent releases of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment, as follows:

(a) A large quantity handler of universal waste shall place in a container any universal waste mercury-containing equipment with non-contained elemental mercury or that shows evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions. The container shall be closed, structurally sound, compatible with the contents of the device, shall lack evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions and shall be reasonably designed to prevent the escape of mercury into the environment by volatilization or any other means.

(b) A large quantity handler of universal waste may remove mercury-containing ampules from universal waste mercury-containing equipment provided the handler does all of the following:
1. Removes the ampules in a manner designed to prevent breakage of the ampules.

2. Removes ampules only over or in a containment device (e.g., tray or pan sufficient to contain any mercury released from an ampule in case of breakage).

3. Ensures that a mercury clean-up system is readily available to immediately transfer any mercury resulting from spills or leaks from broken ampules, from the containment device to a container that meets the requirements of s. NR 662.016 or 662.017.

4. Immediately transfers any mercury resulting from spills or leaks from broken ampules from the containment device to a container that meets the requirements of ss. NR 662.015 and 662.017.

5. Ensures that the area in which ampules are removed is well ventilated and monitored to ensure compliance with applicable exposure levels for mercury adopted under 29 USC 651 to 678 or s. 101.055, Stats.

Note: Title 29 USC 651 to 678 is also known as the federal occupational safety and health act (OSHA). Chapter SPS 332 implements s. 101.055, Stats.

6. Ensures that employees removing ampules are thoroughly familiar with proper waste mercury handling and emergency procedures, including transfer of mercury from containment devices to appropriate containers.

7. Stores removed ampules in closed, non-leaking containers that are in good condition.

8. Packs removed ampules in the container with packing materials adequate to prevent breakage during storage, handling and transportation.

(c) A large quantity handler of universal waste mercury-containing equipment that does not contain an ampule may remove the open original housing holding the mercury from universal waste mercury-containing equipment provided the handler:
1. Immediately seals the original housing holding the mercury with an air-tight seal to prevent the release of any mercury to the environment.

2. Follows all requirements for removing ampules and managing removed ampules under par. (b).

(d)
1. A large quantity handler of universal waste who removes mercury-containing ampules from mercury-containing equipment or seals mercury from mercury-containing equipment in its original housing shall determine whether the following exhibit a characteristic of hazardous waste identified in subch. C of ch. NR 661:
a. Mercury or clean-up residues resulting from spills or leaks.

b. Other solid waste generated as a result of the removal of mercury-containing ampules or housings (the remaining mercury-containing device).

2. If the mercury, residues, or other solid waste exhibits a characteristic of hazardous waste, it shall be managed in compliance with all applicable requirements of chs. NR 660 to 670. The handler is considered the generator of the mercury, residues, or other waste and shall manage it subject to ch. NR 662.

3. If the mercury, residues, or other solid waste is not hazardous, the handler may manage the waste in any way that is in compliance with chs. 287 and 289, Stats., chs. NR 500 to 524, and applicable federal solid waste regulations.

(4) LAMPS. A large quantity handler of universal waste shall manage lamps in all of the following ways that prevent releases of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment:

(a) A large quantity handler of universal waste shall contain any lamp in containers or packages that are structurally sound, adequate to prevent breakage and compatible with the contents of the lamps. The containers and packages shall remain closed and shall lack evidence of leakage, spillage or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions.

(b) A large quantity handler of universal waste shall immediately clean up and place in a container any lamp that is broken and shall place in a container any lamp that shows evidence of breakage, leakage or damage that could cause the release of mercury or other hazardous constituents to the environment. Containers shall be closed, structurally sound, compatible with the contents of the lamps and shall lack evidence of leakage, spillage or damage that could cause leakage or releases of mercury or other hazardous constituents to the environment under reasonably foreseeable conditions.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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