Recycling

Universal Waste

What are Universal/Electronic Wastes?

Universal Wastes are wastes that may contain hazardous amounts of toxic materials such as mercury, lead, and PCBs.

These items have been banned from disposal in our landfill. They must be seperated and recycled.

These include:

CRTs - Cathode Ray Tubes- (Computer monitors, TVs)	Fluorescent light bulbs- (AKA "Lamps")
FPD - Flat Panel Diplay - Monitors/TVs	Non-leaking PCB lighting ballasts
Mercury Containing Thermostats	Mercury Thermometers
Certain batteries

Who Generates Universal Wastes?

Everyone! Businesses, municipalities, schools, and households.

Where can Universal Waste be Delivered?

Tri-Community Recycling & Sanitary Landfill has contracts in place with various communities to accept their wastes. Residents and businesses from these contracted communities may bring their Universal Waste to TCR & SL where a Central Accumulation Facility is set up.
The fees are listed at the bottom of the page.

Use electronic thermometers & electronic thermostats instead of mercury filled ones. Remember to bring the mercury filled ones to TCL's collection facility.

Why have a Universal Waste Program?

Exposure to lead and mercury is especially hazardous to children and pregnant women. Mercury slows fetal and child development and impairs brain function. High exposure can cause tremors, numbness of fingers and toes, loss of muscle control, memory loss, and kidney disease.
Mercury is toxic in very small quantities. Very small amounts in the water can make fish unsafe to eat and cause reproductive problems for wildlife such as loons. Mercury has been found in bass, perch, pickerel, trout, salmon, and eels, as well as in our eagle and loon populations.
In Children, lead exposure can cause mental retardation, blindness, behavioral changes, & growth impairment, etc. High level chronic exposures have major effects on the nervous system, anemia is very common due to damage done to red blood cells.

Universal Waste Fees
*March 1, 2006

Fluorescent Bulbs	$0.12 per foot.
Compact Fluorescent	$2.00 per foot.
Lighting Ballast	$3.00 each.
Thermostat	$0.25 each.
Thermometers	$0.25 each
Computer Components	$3.00 each.

	Commercial Generated	Household Generated
TV - 24'' screen or less	$14.00	$5.00
TV - 25'' screen or more	$24.00	$5.00
Computor Monitor	$14.00	$5.00

*The list and Prices above are subject to change.

Tri Community Recycling and Sanitary Landfill
P.O. Box 605
Caribou, ME 04736
(207) 473-7840