Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that are generated by a wide variety of people. Examples include batteries and fluorescent tubes. Universal waste rules allow common, low-hazard wastes to be managed under less stringent requirements than other hazardous wastes. California's Universal Waste Rule became effective on February 8, 2002. Since that time, several other common wastes have been added to the list of universal wastes. These include mercury wastes, consumer electronic devices and cathode ray tubes (CRTs). In general, universal waste may not be discarded in solid waste landfills. However, under the California’s Universal Waste Rule, specified waste generators will be permitted to send specified universal wastes to landfills, but this disposal allowance will be phased out by 2006.

Many types of electronic products that are widely used in workplaces and homes contain hazardous substances like lead and mercury. When these products reach the end of their useful lives or become obsolete, some contain enough of these hazardous substances to be considered hazardous waste. In general, hazardous waste may not be discarded in the regular trash. Instead, it must be sent to a facility that has a permit for treatment (including recycling), storage, or disposal.

Electronic hazardous wastes (e-waste) are different from industrially generated hazardous wastes in that almost every individual, institution and business generates them. Proper management and recycling of e-waste poses lower risks than managing many industrial hazardous wastes.