Track 2: Mid-Format Batteries – Expanding End of Life Management
On this page:
Summary
As required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA is developing battery collection best practices and voluntary battery labeling guidelines to improve battery collection and recycling and reduce incidents that threaten waste management worker safety. The EPA is developing battery collection best practices for state, Tribal, and local governments to recycle batteries in a manner that is technically and economically feasible, and environmentally sound and safe, and that optimizes value and use of materials, including critical minerals.
On November 21, 2024, the EPA hosted a virtual working session on safe end-of-life (EOL) management for mid-format batteries, as part of EPA’s battery collection best practices and voluntary labeling guidelines initiatives. For the purposes of these discussions, mid-format batteries are rechargeable batteries between 11 and 25 pounds or 300 to 2000 watt-hour ratings. This includes products like e-bikes, e-scooters, portable power stations, and outdoor power equipment.
The working session began with an overview of the EPA’s ongoing battery-related projects, goals for the collection best practices and labeling guidelines, and highlights from the EPA’s work to date. Presentations began with the U.S. Department of Energy sharing funding opportunities for local governments, battery recyclers, and processors. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) provided an overview of the hazardous material regulations and the safety measures in place for shippers to safely transport lithium batteries. Following the DOT, Hazmat Safety Consulting expanded on the importance of employee training and fire-prevention procedures for workers who handle lithium batteries. Ecobat concluded the presentation section with a discussion of the barriers to the safe end-of-life management of lithium batteries. Throughout presentations, the speakers offered their perspectives on safely managing the transport, treatment, and recovery of mid-format batteries.
Participants asked questions throughout the working session; these questions and answers are summarized in the slides linked below. EPA concluded the session by introducing the upcoming large format working sessions and encouraging participants to submit additional input via batteries@epa.gov.
Speakers
- Ellen Meyer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Pat Tallarico, Facilitator, Eastern Research Group (ERG) Support Team.
- Amanda McAlpin, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (DOE MESC).
- Logan Blizzard, U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT PHMSA).
- Bob Richard, Hazmat Safety Consulting.
- Mark Hoffman, Ecobat.