Extended Battery Producer Responsibility Framework Kickoff: Reviewing Guiding Principles and Elements
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Summary
As required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are developing an extended battery producer responsibility (EPR) framework. The framework will address battery recycling goals, cost structures for mandatory recycling, reporting requirements, product design, collection models, transportation of collected materials – and support and help promote consistency across states. It will also support the United States’ broader goals of restoring domestic energy dominance and reducing dependence on foreign energy sources by increasing the recycling and recyclability of critical minerals and materials. Recycling batteries will also strengthen the domestic critical mineral supply chain, create jobs, and improve safety across the entire waste management and recycling industry.
On April 7, 2025, EPA and DOE hosted a virtual conversation on the guiding principles and elements of EPR to launch the joint initiative to develop the extended battery producer responsibility framework. The conversation focused on small and mid-format batteries, as required by the IIJA, as well as large format batteries. DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) began by sharing the agency’s goals for the battery EPR framework and the benefits of EPR programs. Then, EPA outlined how the extended battery producer responsibility framework aligns with EPA’s ongoing IIJA-mandated battery initiatives, including development of battery collection best practices, voluntary labeling guidelines, and a national education campaign. EPA also described the vision and timeline for the battery EPR framework. Specifically, the battery EPR framework is not meant to be a model bill for states, but instead will provide current practices and options, challenges, and considerations.
Following EPA, The Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA); Call2Recycle; Washington State Department of Ecology; Douglas County Environmental Services; and the Union of Concerned Scientists shared their insights on developing state battery EPR laws, as well as elements, challenges, and opportunities common to EPR legislation and programs. Participants shared feedback and submitted questions on EPR elements and programs, policies, and principles throughout the virtual conversation. These questions and answers are summarized in the slides linked below.
Speakers
- Pat Tallarico, Facilitator, Eastern Research Group Support Team.
- Kelly Visconti, DOE.
- Kim Cochran, EPA.
- Marc Boolish, PRBA.
- Todd Ellis, Call2Recycle.
- Carin Stuart, Call2Recycle.
- Megan Warfield, Washington State Department of Ecology.
- Kent Holm, Douglas County Environmental Services.
- Jessica Dunn, Union of Concerned Scientists.