§6966c — Title 42 The Public Health and Welfare | U.S. Code

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency must create best practices for collecting batteries for recycling and run a program to promote battery labeling and public information. Defined terms: Administrator = the EPA Administrator; battery = a device with one or more electrochemical cells made to store and send electric energy; recycling = the steps (like collection, processing, and brokering) that turn used materials into raw feedstock for new products. The EPA must make the collection practices technically and economically doable for State, Tribal, and local governments when possible, protect worker and environmental safety, and get the most value from recovered battery materials. The EPA must work with governments and other groups, and give Congress a report not later than 2 years after November 15, 2021. Up to $10,000,000 is authorized for that work for fiscal year 2022, available until September 30, 2026. The EPA’s program will create voluntary battery labeling guidelines and other materials for makers and consumers to boost collection, access to drop-off locations, consumer education, and safety, and should follow international labeling standards and the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act. Up to $15,000,000 is authorized for that program for fiscal year 2022, available until September 30, 2026.

Title 42, §6966c

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section:

(1)The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(2)The term “battery” means a device that—

(A)consists of 1 or more electrochemical cells that are electrically connected; and

(B)is designed to store and deliver electric energy.

(3)The term “recycling” means the series of activities—

(A)during which recyclable materials are processed into specification-grade commodities, and consumed as raw-material feedstock, in lieu of virgin materials, in the manufacturing of new products;

(B)that may include collection, processing, and brokering; and

(C)that result in subsequent consumption by a materials manufacturer, including for the manufacturing of new products.

(b)(1)The Administrator shall develop best practices that may be implemented by State, Tribal, and local governments with respect to the collection of batteries to be recycled in a manner that—

(A)to the maximum extent practicable, is technically and economically feasible for State, Tribal, and local governments;

(B)is environmentally sound and safe for waste management workers; and

(C)optimizes the value and use of material derived from recycling of batteries.

(2)The Administrator shall develop the best practices described in paragraph (1) in coordination with State, Tribal, and local governments and relevant nongovernmental and private sector entities.

(3)Not later than 2 years after November 15, 2021, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report describing the best practices developed under paragraph (1).

(4)There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, to remain available until September 30, 2026.

(c)(1)There is established within the Environmental Protection Agency a program (referred to in this subsection as the “program”) to promote battery recycling through the development of—

(A)voluntary labeling guidelines for batteries; and

(B)other forms of communication materials for battery producers and consumers about the reuse and recycling of critical materials from batteries.

(2)The purposes of the program are to improve battery collection and reduce battery waste, including by—

(A)identifying battery collection locations and increasing accessibility to those locations;

(B)promoting consumer education about battery collection and recycling; and

(C)reducing safety concerns relating to the improper disposal of batteries.

(3)The Administrator shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that voluntary labeling guidelines and other forms of communication materials developed under the program are consistent with—

(A)international battery labeling standards; and

(B)the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act (42 U.S.C. 14301 et seq.).

(4)There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, to remain available until September 30, 2026.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B), is Pub. L. 104–142, May 13, 1996, 110 Stat. 1329, which is classified generally to chapter 137 (§ 14301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 14301 of this title and Tables. Codification Section was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and not as part of the Solid Waste Disposal Act which comprises this chapter.

§6966c Best practices for battery recycling and labeling guidelines