Americans use and discard millions of batteries each year. In landfills, they can release hazardous materials like mercury and lead into the environment. When trashed, lithium-ion batteries – used to power electronic devices like cell phones – can catch fire or explode, causing damage and endangering the lives of waste workers. 

Batteries contain valuable materials such as steel, manganese, and zinc, which are mined using energy-intensive processes that emit greenhouse gases; they also contain hazardous materials, including cadmium and lead. Collecting and recycling batteries saves valuable resources, reduces environmental and human health impacts, and helps prevent the health and safety hazards posed by these discarded products entering the waste stream.  

In some states, there are programs to collect and recycle batteries. But many consumers don’t know why or how to participate: Today, less than 15% of rechargeable batteries (and a much smaller amount of single-use) are recycled. Some battery manufacturers voluntary fund these programs, but those that do not – whose products can be recycled – still enjoy a “free ride.” 

How can we recycle more batteries and protect the environment? Extended producer responsibility. PSI advocates for EPR laws across the U.S. that level the playing field by requiring all battery producers to financially support recycling programs, relieving local governments – and taxpayers – from the burden of managing disconnected programs. 

Vermont enacted the nation’s first single-use household battery EPR law in 2014, which PSI helped pass. In its first year of implementation, that state increased collection of both single-use and rechargeable batteries by more than 180 percent. PSI also provided technical support to incorporate best practices from our model battery EPR legislation into the Washington DC law enacted in 2021. This law was the first single-use and rechargeables battery EPR law in the nation that also addresses battery-containing products, which advanced the trend of broadening the scope of batteries included in EPR laws. 

California followed in 2022 with an EPR law that, like Washington D.C., covers a broad scope of single-use and rechargeable batteries, but added stronger convenience standards and an advisory board that requires multi-stakeholder input., In 2022, representatives from 10 states joined PSI’s battery stakeholder group to develop a next–generation battery EPR legislative model, elements of which were included in the California law that was championed by the California Product Stewardship Council and Californians Against Waste and also covered single use and rechargeable batteries. 

In 2023, Washington State enacted its battery EPR law which also covers a broad scope of single use and rechargeable batteries but is the first state to include e-mobility device batteries and to study the opportunities and challenges of managing large-format batteries and batteries that are embedded in products, such as electronics. Yet another step forward in increasing the scope of state battery EPR laws. 

Most recently, New Jersey enacted the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Battery Management Act on January 8, 2024, becoming the first state to include in its EPR battery law electric and hybrid vehicle propulsion batteries (those used to supply power to propel a vehicle). With this new law, New Jersey has continued the trend of addressing new batteries not previously included in EPR laws.

 

EPR programs like these incentivize the design of more sustainable products and build supply chains for those made with recycled materials, which are the building blocks of an emerging circular economy that protects our environment and builds a better future.
What can you do? If your state has not yet enacted a law, tell your representatives that you support battery EPR legislation. Then, learn where to recycle or safely dispose of batteries in your community.
If you’re a PSI Member or Partner, search our Resource Library for in-depth information on battery stewardship in the United States and around the world and our Legislation Library for a detailed history of battery EPR bills and laws in the U.S.