Don’t trash that battery: Rechargeables and others being accepted for recycling under new state law

A new program makes it safer and easier for Illinois residents to dispose of spent batteries, particularly the potentially dangerous lithium-ion variety used in a number of toys and many other products.

As of Jan. 1, all single-use and most rechargeable batteries are accepted at participating retailers and other locations throughout the state under provisions of the Portable and Medium-Format Battery Stewardship Act.

That bill provides convenience for consumers, reduces the growing risk of fires at waste and recycling facilities, reduces toxins in landfills and recovers valuable materials, waste management experts say.

Signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker in August 2024, the measure requires battery producers to fund and manage the collection, transportation and recycling of portable primary rechargeable batteries.

Batteries join electronics and paint in Illinois’ extended producer responsibility laws.

Lithium-ion batteries have become a safety issue, said Walter Willis, executive director of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, which helped develop the bill.

“It’s happening in garbage trucks and recycling plants, it’s happening in people’s houses,” he said of fires sparked by batteries.

The law is “intended to reduce fire risk and environmental harm by making battery recycling more accessible and consistent statewide,” said Chris Roberts, deputy chief of the Lake Forest Fire Department, which has reported several garbage truck fires in recent months.

The aim also is to have at least one portable battery recycling center within 15 miles of 95% of Illinois residents, he added. The law also calls for public awareness initiatives and annual reporting.

With the groundwork done and mechanisms in place, consumers now have places to take batteries rather than have them rolling around in kitchen drawers or gathering dust in the garage.

Call2Recyle, a nonprofit organization, is working to establish a network of collection sites.

With its launch, Illinois now operates the largest all-battery recycling program in the country, according to Roxane Peggs, director of state stewardship at Call2Recycle.

She commended Illinois’ efforts to build a “broad, accessible” collection network and public awareness well in advance of the 2028 ban on disposal of batteries in landfills.

By placing responsibility on battery producers rather than taxpayers and local governments, Illinois is reducing strain on municipal systems while addressing safety risks from improperly discarded batteries, particularly lithium-ion, she said.

“We’re by far the biggest footprint by geography and population,” said Christina Seibert, executive director of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County. “We know there will be some kinks to work out.”

Willis and Seifert acknowledged the stewardship of various industries and organizations involved in the process and say Illinois is a model for other states.

Illinois is “clearly ahead of the curve,” Peggs said, “and its size, scope and early launch set a new benchmark for what these programs can look like in practice.”

There also are nuances in the law and gaps to be filled.

Retailers are not required to serve as collection sites under the law but several, including Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy and Sam’s Club, have voluntarily elected to do so, said Alec Laird, senior vice president of government relations for the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

He added many retailers across Illinois have had battery collection and recycling programs before the law was enacted, showing a commitment to environmental stewardship and safety.

Participating retailers generally are only taking portable batteries, including nonrechargeable batteries of up to 4.4 pounds and rechargeable batteries up to 11 pounds and/or 300 watt hours, Seibert noted.

Some retailers may take batteries over 11 pounds (the medium format), primarily e-bike and outdoor lawn equipment, she added. Otherwise, they need to go to a household hazardous waste collection site like the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County or similar sites operated by government agencies.

The law doesn’t apply to batteries considered embedded and that can’t be easily removed from various devices, such as greeting cards. Those still go in the trash.

However, devices such as laptops can be taken to electronic recycling facilities or events.

“Don’t bring us your toothbrush,” Willis said.