Extended Battery Producer Responsibility Framework – Virtual Roundtable
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Summary
As required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy are developing an extended battery producer responsibility framework. The framework will address battery recycling goals, cost structures for mandatory recycling, reporting requirements, product design, collection models and transportation of collected materials. The framework 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 February 10, 2026, EPA hosted a virtual conversation to discuss the extended battery producer responsibility framework initiative and obtain additional input from experts and interested parties across the battery life cycle. EPA began by outlining the scope and purpose of the battery EPR framework, highlighting how this effort is aimed at achieving national goals in recovering critical minerals and supporting states in battery collection and recycling.
Following an overview of common EPR elements for small and mid-format battery EPR, speakers from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, CalRecycle and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency shared how these elements have been implemented in their state battery EPR programs, highlighting commonalities and differences in design and implementation of key elements including obligated producer, covered materials, and recycling definitions; roles and responsibilities; enforcement; and performance measures and reporting. EPA facilitated a conversation to gather insights on remaining gaps in state legislation and understand how the framework can best support state battery EPR programs.
Speakers
- Pat Tallarico, Facilitator, Eastern Research Group Support Team.
- Kim Cochran, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Alex Naidoo, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
- Ethan Herrick, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
- Michelle Cevallos, CalRecycle.