Overview
The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is proposing emergency regulations pursuant to Public Resources Code (PRC) section 42475.2. PRC section 42464(b)(3) requires CalRecycle to establish a covered battery-embedded waste recycling fee based on the reasonable regulatory costs to administer covered electronic waste (CEW) recycling on or before October 1, 2025, and on or before October 1 annually thereafter.
At a public workshop held on June 17, 2026, CalRecycle presented its recommendation to lower the maximum fee cap from $15 while maintaining the fee at 1.5% of the retail sales price.
The purpose of this informal comment period is to consult with the public, the regulated community, and other interested parties to solicit feedback on the proposed covered battery-embedded waste recycling fee that will take effect January 1, 2027, if approved by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL).
Affected Regulatory Code Sections
CalRecycle is proposing emergency regulations to amend Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR), Division 7, Chapter 8.2, Section 18660.40.
Current Status
CalRecycle is now announcing the specific proposed fee (1.5% with a $1 maximum cap) that will take effect January 1, 2027 (PRC section 42464(b)(3)), for public review and comment. There will not be an additional workshop.
CalRecycle invites all interested parties to submit comments and feedback on the proposed covered battery-embedded waste recycling fee (see PRC section 42464(b)(3)).
Current Documents
The rulemaking documents will be available on this webpage a minimum of five working days before CalRecycle files notice of the proposed emergency regulations with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL).
Input from Interested Parties
Written feedback and questions can be submitted by July 24, 2026, in one of the following ways:
Electronic submittal: Covered Battery-Embedded Waste Recycling Fee Informal Rulemaking Comment Period
Email: Regulations@calrecycle.ca.gov
By submitting a written comment to CalRecycle in connection with this rulemaking action you shall be deemed to have expressly indicated a willingness to receive a notice by means of an electronic written communication via email unless you specifically request CalRecycle to deliver its notice(s) via non-electronic communication.
Please note that under the California Public Records Act (Government Code section 7920.000 et seq.), your written and oral comments, attachments, and associated contact information (e.g., your address, phone number, email address, etc.) become part of the public record and can be released to the public upon request.
Contact
For more information on the Covered Battery-Embedded Waste Recycling Fee Emergency Regulations, please contact CalRecycle’s Regulations Unit at Regulations@calrecycle.ca.gov.
Subscribe to the Proposed Regulations Listserv to receive emails regarding rulemaking developments.
For more information regarding the Covered Battery-Embedded Products Program, please visit Covered Battery-Embedded Products Webpage.
Subscribe to the E-Waste listserv to receive emails regarding this program.