Chapter 173-905 WAC - Battery Stewardship Program
Washington State passed a law in 2023 that establishes a statewide recycling program for used batteries. The new law requires battery producers to fund a recycling program that will provide Washington residents with new opportunities to recycle batteries.
The program requires collection of most types of batteries including AA and AAA batteries used in everyday items such as flashlights, button batteries used in watches and other smaller devices, and larger batteries used in electric bikes, scooters and power tools. However, some batteries such as car batteries, batteries for medical devices, and batteries in products that are designed to not be removed from the product by the consumer are excluded from the program.
The Washington Department of Ecology is writing rules to clarify definitions, plan requirements, and annual reporting requirements; set the agency fee to cover oversight costs of the program; and establish battery management standards. Other topics will include setting performance targets and goals, determining local government handling costs, and battery labeling requirements.
Rulemaking timeline
Announcement phase (CR-101)
Filing date:
March 19, 2024
Announcement documents
Rule development phase
March 19, 2024 – Fall 2025Public input & involvement
Rulemaking Advisory Committee public meeting
| Date | Documents | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2024 at 10 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) | Webinar | |
| June 24, 2024 at 11 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) | Webinar | |
| Canceled | Canceled | |
| Sept. 23, 2024 at 11 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) | Webinar | |
| Oct. 21, 2024 at 11 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) | Webinar | |
| Dec. 16, 2024 at 11 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) | Not yet available | Webinar (Register for Zoom meeting.) |
Comment period Oct. 17 – Dec. 9, 2024
We will hold an informal comment period from Oct. 17, 2024 at 12 a.m. – Dec. 9, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. We invite you to comment on draft language for two rulemaking key concepts: Annual reports and quarterly updates.
We are also soliciting feedback on two topics without draft language: marking requirements for batteries and demonstrable costs of local governments, both of which will also be covered in the October 21, 2024 meeting.
Comment period Sept. 16 – Oct. 16, 2024 (closed)
We held an informal comment period from Sept. 16, 2024 to Oct. 16, 2024.
Comment period June 21 – July 31, 2024 (closed)
We held an informal comment period from June 21, 2024 to July 31, 2024.
Comment period May 6 – May 31, 2024 (closed)
We held an informal comment period from May 6, 2024 at 4 p.m. to May 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Related links
Contact information
Chris Fredley
SWM Program Rule Coordinator
batterystewardship@ecy.wa.gov
564-233-1615
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Accessibility
To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.