EPA Battery Recycling Report Pushes States to Act, May 28

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency submitted a report to Congress on May 27, 2026, outlining best practices for battery collection and recycling. The EPA aims to raise recycling rates, reduce fires at waste facilities, and recover valuable metals. The report identifies major barriers: consumers and businesses do not know which products contain batteries or how to recycle them safely, and collection locations are often inconvenient.

Why Battery Recycling Matters Now

Rechargeable batteries appear in phones, laptops, power tools, and vehicles. When these batteries end up in landfills or regular recycling streams, they can catch fire and damage waste facilities. The EPA’s report highlights that recovering metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel from used batteries reduces mining pressure and cuts manufacturing costs for new products.

Steve Noble, electronics recycling specialist at Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, noted that states and local governments can make battery recycling safe and funded. Michigan has already started investigating what a statewide battery collection system would need to serve households.

What the EPA Report Recommends

The EPA published a toolkit alongside the report that includes case studies, educational materials, infographics, and webinars. These resources show how other states have tackled battery collection challenges. The toolkit helps communities understand how to store and transport batteries safely before recycling.

The main barrier remains consumer confusion. Many people do not realize their devices contain batteries or where to take them for recycling. Training and education programs can help both households and businesses prepare batteries for safe handling and transport.

What States Must Do Next

States now face pressure to build or expand battery collection networks. Michigan is gathering input from stakeholders to design a safe battery handling and education program. Other states will likely follow similar steps to meet federal expectations outlined in the EPA report.

The challenge is making collection convenient. If recycling locations are too far away or hard to access, consumers will continue throwing batteries in the trash. States must balance funding, location density, and public awareness to succeed.

Final Thoughts

The EPA’s battery recycling report signals that states must invest in collection infrastructure and consumer education. Without action, facility fires and lost metal recovery will persist. Investors in recycling technology and waste management should monitor state-level implementation timelines.

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