Establish a Statewide Battery Deposit and Recycling Program

 

The purpose of this bill is to create a statewide system for the collection and return of alkaline and lithium-ion

batteries, including items that use a built-in battery to function. This program seeks to garner public compliance by

offering a monetary incentive upon return of a battery/battery operated device at a county recycling plant.

 

When a battery is not disposed of properly and thrown in a household garbage can, most of the time those batteries often

carry a very small amount of energy and can ignite a fire in your home. Even if it doesn't happen in your home, it can

still very much happen in a garbage truck, at a recycling plant, or at a landfill. Some Twin Cities recycling facilities

report 1-2 fires a month from improperly disposed batteries. These fires drive up insurance rates for the recycling

plant and can cost millions of dollars in repairs. The risk of fire also comes with defunct devices remaining unchecked

for too long. Most cordless devices, such as E-scooters, toasters, and even smartphones use a lithium battery as a

source of power. Fires from lithium batteries are especially dangerous since they are notoriously difficult to put out,

and can cause a very dangerous house fire. With the proper disposal of old electronics and used batteries, the risk of a

dangerous fire majorly decreases by having batteries carefully recycled through their own process.

 

“Battery” shall be defined as a container that holds cells with the capability of turning chemical energy into

electricity as a source of power

“Defunct” is defined as being in a state of being inoperative and nonfunctioning

"Recycling Plant" is defined as a facility that processes used or abandoned materials to turn them back into reusable

raw materials or new products

 

The monetary incentive will be funded through an extra fee on any store bought batteries. The fee will entirely vary on

the type of battery or device. For example, a pack of 10 AAA batteries would cost an extra 25 cents per battery, and a

cordless toaster, which uses lithium batteries, would be raised an extra 5 dollars. Any money that remains unclaimed

will stay be managed by the county for administration and infrastructure costs

 

No penalties for consumers as return is encouraged, but not mandated by law.

All county recycling plants shall accept any battery or device containing batteries. Plants who fail to comply with

collection or refund requirements may be subject to warnings or administrative corrective orders issued by the county.

 

This bill will take effect six months after the passing of this bill