Battery fires cause injuries and millions in damages at waste facilities
Office of Public Affairs
For Immediate Release: October 17, 2023
News Release #2023-09
Media Contact: Lance Klug
916-341-6293 | lance.klug@calrecycle.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO – To prevent fires, injuries, and toxic pollution, California has tasked the battery industry with collecting and recycling loose household batteries.
Learn about the Responsible Battery Recycling Act at CalRecycle’s upcoming Informational Workshop.
What – Responsible Battery Recycling Act (AB 2440, Irwin, Chapter 351, Statutes of 2022) Information Session
When – Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where – CalEPA Headquarters, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
- Participate in person: Byron Sher Auditorium (2nd floor)
- Participate remotely: Zoom (to ask questions) | Live Webcast (view only)
FAST FACTS
- Californians use about 822 million batteries a year.
- An estimated 7,294 tons of batteries go to California landfills a year (2021).
- Batteries are the top cause of fires at California waste facilities, endangering lives and costing millions of dollars in damage.
- Batteries and battery-embedded products contain valuable and rare metals like copper, nickel, and lithium. Better collection would allow the recovery and use of these metals.
The Responsible Battery Recycling Act requires producers of common household batteries to create a program for producers to collect and recycle their products once consumers are done using them. State oversight will ensure these industry-run programs meet California standards for recycling and convenience.
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CalRecycle provides oversight of California solid waste handling and recycling programs to protect human health, develop sustainable solutions that conserve resources, and reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.