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.
On Dec. 16, 2025, the Department of Ecology adopted a new rule, Chapter 173-905 WAC, Battery Stewardship Program. This rule will be effective on Jan. 16, 2025.
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.
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) | Webinar | |
| March 6, 2025 at 10 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) |
Webinar | |
|
April 16, 2025 from 1 – 4 p.m. |
|
Online listening session |
Comment period Feb. 25 – March 30, 2025 (closed)
We held an informal comment period from Feb. 25, 2025 at 12 a.m. – March 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Comment period Dec. 10, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025 (closed)
We held an informal comment period from Dec. 10, 2024 to Jan. 31, 2025.
Comment period Oct. 17 – Dec. 9, 2024 (closed)
We held an informal comment period from Oct. 17, 2024 to Dec. 9, 2024.
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.
Rule proposal phase (CR-102)
July 23, 2025
- Proposal Notice - CR-102 form
- Proposed rule language
- SEPA Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) and Environmental Checklist
- Preliminary Regulatory Analyses
Comment period
We held a public comment period from July 23, 2025 – Sept. 10, 2025..
Public hearings
We held public hearings on the rule proposal via Zoom. At each public hearing, Ecology provided a presentation on the proposed rule language, a questions and answers session, and an opportunity for participants to provide formal oral comment on the proposed rule.
| Date | Documents | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Aug. 28, 2025 |
Online | |
|
Sept. 3, 2025 |
Online |
Rule adoption phase (CR-103)
Dec. 16, 2025
Jan. 16, 2026
On Dec. 16, 2025, the Department of Ecology adopted a new rule, Chapter 173-905 WAC, Battery Stewardship Program. This rule guides implementation of a new law that requires battery producers to fund a statewide recycling program to provide opportunities for people to drop off their used or unwanted batteries at nearby collection sites. This rule will be effective on Jan. 16, 2026.
Beginning July 2027, the new program will collect most types of small batteries including household batteries such as AA and AAA batteries and button batteries used in smaller devices. Larger batteries, such as those used in electric bikes and scooters, will be collected by the program starting in 2029. This rule clarifies program requirements, sets fees for the department to administer the program, and establishes battery collection and handling standards to ensure the safe and effective handling of batteries.
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.