42 U.S.C. § 6966c

Current through P.L. 118-106 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/04/2024)

Section 6966c - Best practices for battery recycling and labeling guidelines

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Administrator

The term "Administrator" means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(2) Battery

The term "battery" means a device that-

(A) consists of 1 or more electrochemical cells that are electrically connected; and

(B) is designed to store and deliver electric energy.

(3) Recycling

The term "recycling" means the series of activities-

(A) during which recyclable materials are processed into specification-grade commodities, and consumed as raw-material feedstock, in lieu of virgin materials, in the manufacturing of new products;

(B) that may include collection, processing, and brokering; and

(C) that result in subsequent consumption by a materials manufacturer, including for the manufacturing of new products.

(b) Best practices for collection of batteries to be recycled

(1) In general

The Administrator shall develop best practices that may be implemented by State, Tribal, and local governments with respect to the collection of batteries to be recycled in a manner that-

(A) to the maximum extent practicable, is technically and economically feasible for State, Tribal, and local governments;

(B) is environmentally sound and safe for waste management workers; and

(C) optimizes the value and use of material derived from recycling of batteries.

(2) Consultation

The Administrator shall develop the best practices described in paragraph (1) in coordination with State, Tribal, and local governments and relevant nongovernmental and private sector entities.

(3) Report

Not later than 2 years after November 15, 2021, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report describing the best practices developed under paragraph (1).

(4) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, to remain available until September 30, 2026.

(c) Voluntary labeling guidelines

(1) In general

There is established within the Environmental Protection Agency a program (referred to in this subsection as the "program") to promote battery recycling through the development of-

(A) voluntary labeling guidelines for batteries; and

(B) other forms of communication materials for battery producers and consumers about the reuse and recycling of critical materials from batteries.

(2) Purposes

The purposes of the program are to improve battery collection and reduce battery waste, including by-

(A) identifying battery collection locations and increasing accessibility to those locations;

(B) promoting consumer education about battery collection and recycling; and

(C) reducing safety concerns relating to the improper disposal of batteries.

(3) Other standards and law

The Administrator shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that voluntary labeling guidelines and other forms of communication materials developed under the program are consistent with-

(A) international battery labeling standards; and

(B) the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act (42 U.S.C. 14301 et seq.).

(4) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, to remain available until September 30, 2026.

42 U.S.C. § 6966c

Pub. L. 117-58, div. G, title IV, §704010401,, 135 Stat. 1261.

EDITORIAL NOTES

REFERENCES IN TEXTThe Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B), is Pub. L. 104-142, 110 Stat. 1329, which is classified generally to chapter 137 (§14301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 14301 of this title and Tables.

CODIFICATIONSection was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and not as part of the Solid Waste Disposal Act which comprises this chapter.

Administrator

The term "Administrator" means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

State

The term "State" means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

disposal

The term "disposal" means the discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of any solid waste or hazardous waste into or on any land or water so that such solid waste or hazardous waste or any constituent thereof may enter the environment or be emitted into the air or discharged into any waters, including ground waters.

practices

The term "practices" means design, financing, permitting, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance, and other practices that contribute to achieving zero-net-energy buildings or facilities.

solid waste

The term "solid waste" means any garbage, refuse, sludge from a waste treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semisolid, or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations, and from community activities, but does not include solid or dissolved material in domestic sewage, or solid or dissolved materials in irrigation return flows or industrial discharges which are point sources subject to permits under section 1342 of title 33, or source, special nuclear, or byproduct material as defined by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (68 Stat. 923) [42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.].