House Bill 1602 would allow the state to join other states in a battery manufacturers’ program to provide recycling for lithium, rechargeable and alkaline batteries with the cost recovered nationwide by the manufacturers through pricing. Supporters of the program include business and municipal organizations, the state’s solid waste operators, fire fighting professionals and numerous environmental and conservation organizations.
Supporters said the program will allow people to easily recycle their batteries, will help prevent fires and toxic chemical releases, and will allow the reuse of critical rare earth materials needed for electronics and battery production.
It addresses the fire threat from lithium batteries, provides safe disposal options, will save municipalities money that now goes on to property taxes, and shifts the costs to manufacturers where it belongs, Rep. Judy Aron, R-Acworth said.