Washington officials want your input on newly proposed rules and regulations for how batteries are recycled across the state.
The newly proposed Battery Stewardship Program provides definitions and sets goals, standards, reporting requirements and funding sources for Washington’s battery management and recycling.
“Batteries have become an essential part of people’s lives, but they come with increased safety and environmental costs when they are not properly recycled,” said Peter Lyon, who oversees Ecology’s Solid Waste Management program. “This new program will make dropping off batteries for recycling simple, convenient, and free for consumers.”
Lithium ion batteries have been responsible for a number of fires across the Inland Northwest in recent years, including house fires, a warehouse fire in Spokane and a CDA Police facility fire.
The proposed program would allow for the recycling of button batteries, AA and AAA batteries, and rechargeable batteries. large batteries, like the ones found in cars and medical devices, would be exempt.
Ecology officials are asking for public feedback on the program. Comments can be submitted up until midnight on September 10 online or during one of the August 28 or September 3 public Zoom hearings. Registration for the Zoom hearings is required.
Once feedback is collected and considered, the Department of Ecology will finalize the program rules. For more information, visit www.ecology.wa.gov.
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