Section 415 ILCS 205/5 - FindingsThe General Assembly finds that:
(1) It is in the public interest of the citizens of Illinois to encourage the recovery and reuse of materials, such as metals, that replace the output of mining and other extractive industries.(2) Without a dedicated battery stewardship program, battery user confusion regarding proper management options for portable and medium-format batteries will persist.(3) Ensuring the proper handling, recycling, and end-of-life management of used portable and medium-format batteries prevents the release of toxic materials into the environment and removes materials from the waste stream that, if mishandled, may present safety concerns to workers, such as by igniting fires at solid waste handling facilities. For this reason, batteries should not be placed into commingled recycling containers or disposed of by traditional garbage collection containers.(4) Jurisdictions around the world have successfully implemented battery stewardship laws that have helped address the challenges posed by the end-of-life management of portable and medium-format batteries. Since it is difficult for customers to differentiate between types and chemistries of batteries, it is the best practice for battery stewardship programs to collect all battery types and chemistries.Added by P.A. 103-1033,§ 5, eff. 8/9/2024.