Washington bill proposes battery recycling program

Washington state Senate lawmakers have passed a bill that would help to increase battery recycling in the state. Senate Bill 5144, sponsored by Washington Sen. Derek Stanford, would require battery producers in the state to take responsibility for increasing recycling rates, promoting safe disposal and reducing waste.

Under the bill, Washington cities and counties would get relief from some of the costs of battery collection. The legislation also is intended to reduce the danger of fires caused by rechargeable batteries in garbage trucks and waste transfer stations.

According to a news release on Sen. Stanford’s website, the proposed battery stewardship program would be like other statewide programs launched in recent years to collect and recycle paint, electronics, photovoltaic solar panels and lightbulbs containing mercury.

“We know that the use of batteries will continue to increase, and it’s urgent we take action to ensure these products containing hazardous materials don’t continue to pile up in our landfills or other places they can cause health and safety concerns,” Stanford says. “Used batteries often contain rare metals and chemicals that can be reused in new products while reducing extractive mining. And by requiring producers to be responsible, we will encourage them to design longer lasting batteries and move us one step closer to a circular economy.”

The proposed legislation also would require battery producers to conduct educational outreach to inform Washington consumers on battery recycling options. It also would require drop-off sites to be distributed regionally throughout the state, improving access for rural communities. The release on Stanford’s website says the state currently administers a voluntary rechargeable battery recycling program to prevent people from putting batteries in the trash, but drop-off sites are limited to select transfer stations and a handful of retailers.

The bill has moved from the state Senate to the House of Representatives for consideration.