EPA-LEAD-ACID BATTERIES

Amends the Environmental Protection Act to prohibit lead-acid battery retailers from disposing of lead-acid batteries by delivery to a collection or recycling facility, unless that collection or recycling facility accepts lead-acid batteries. Prohibits the knowing mixing of lead-acid batteries with material intended for collection as a recyclable material by a hauler, and the knowing placement of a lead-acid battery into a container intended for collection and processing at a recycling center. Defines "rechargeable battery". Prohibits any person from knowingly disposing of a rechargeable battery, either as municipal waste or as a recyclable material. Denies home rule units from regulating the collection or disposal of rechargeable batteries. Requires the Agency to provide educational information regarding rechargeable batteries on its website. Requires the Agency to encourage the waste industry, recyclers, haulers, local governments, and other stakeholders to collaborate on educating the public regarding the collection and recycling of rechargeable batteries. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Defines "rechargeable battery" partly as any battery containing lithium ion, lithium metal, or lithium polymer or that uses lithium as an anode or cathode (currently, partly as any dry cell battery containing an electrode composed of cadmium or lead, or any combination thereof, of any shape). Removes language providing that, beginning January 1, 2020, no person shall knowingly mix a rechargeable battery that is intended for disposal at a sanitary landfill with any other municipal waste. Provides that unless expressly authorized as part of a recycling collection program, beginning January 1, 2020 no person shall knowingly mix a rechargeable battery or any appliance, device, or other item that contains a rechargeable battery with any other material intended for collection by a hauler as a recyclable material or place a rechargeable battery or any appliance, device, or other item that contains a rechargeable battery into a container intended for collection by a hauler for processing at a recycling center. Removes a provision prohibiting home rule units from regulating the collection or disposal of rechargeable batteries. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Redefines "rechargeable battery" as one or more voltaic or galvanic cells, electrically connected to produce electric energy, that is designed to be recharged for repeated uses, but includes a battery containing lithium ion, lithium metal, or lithium polymer or that uses lithium as an anode or cathode, that is designed to be recharged for repeated uses (currently, as any battery containing lithium ion, lithium metal, or lithium polymer or that uses lithium as an anode or cathode, is designed for reuse, and is capable of being recharged after repeated uses). Provides that specified acts shall only be done if expressly authorized by (currently, authorized as part of) a recycling collection program. Provides that the Agency shall include on its website information regarding the recycling (currently, collection and recycling) of rechargeable batteries. Removes language requiring the Agency to undertake other communications to educate the public regarding the collection and recycling of rechargeable batteries.