Track 2: Mid-Format Batteries – Role of Manufacturers and Retailers in Promoting Safer Use and Management
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Summary
As required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is developing battery collection best practices and voluntary battery labeling guidelines to improve battery collection and recycling and reduce incidents that threaten waste management worker safety. EPA is developing battery collection best practices for state, Tribal, and local governments to recycle batteries in a manner that is technically and economically feasible, and environmentally sound and safe, and that optimizes value and use of materials, including critical minerals.
On October 15, 2024, EPA hosted a virtual working session for Track 2: mid-format batteries - the role of manufacturers and retailers in promoting safer use and management. For the purposes of these discussions, mid-format batteries are rechargeable batteries between 11 and 25 pounds or 300 to 2000 watt-hour ratings. This includes e-bikes, e-scooters, portable power stations, and outdoor power equipment.
This session focused on the safety measures and management procedures of mid-format battery collection programs, manufacturers, retailers, and local government e-mobility programs to ensure the safe use and management of mid-format batteries. The session began with a brief overview of EPA’s goal for the collection best practices and voluntary labeling guidelines. EPA also shared the timeline for the remaining mid-format and large format battery working sessions.
After EPA’s introduction, Call2Recycle provided an overview of their High Energy Battery and E-Bike Battery Recycling Programs. Both programs are funded by mid-format battery manufacturers and offer retail collection sites for consumers. Next, the Toro Company spoke on their role as a manufacturer taking part in the Call2Recycle High Energy Battery Program. The Toro Company also presented key considerations for manufacturers taking part in a collection program, which included:
- Addressing hazardous materials shipping concerns.
- Brand alignment with existing programs and existing labeling requirements.
- Consistent terminology and classifications for batteries.
- Manufacturer buy-in to collection programs.
Then, The District Department of Transportation gave an overview of the scale and safety requirements for their Shared Fleet Devices Program. DDOT provided recommendations to both local governments and manufacturers when considering the maintenance and coordination involved in a public-private partnership program. Last, Human Powered Solutions touched on:
- The potential areas of improvement for existing mid-format battery collection programs.
- The importance of staff training curriculum and other collection site safety protocols.
- Necessary regulatory requirement information for retailers to know about collecting and shipping mid-format batteries if they are unable to participate in a collection program.
Participants asked questions throughout the working session. EPA summarized these questions and answers in the slides linked below. In between speaker presentations, participants also shared their perspectives and questions around mid-format battery management through a Q&A. EPA concluded the working session by providing dates and goals for the upcoming working sessions and encouraging participants to submit additional input via batteries@epa.gov.
Speakers
- Ellen Meyer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Pat Tallarico, Facilitator, Eastern Research Group Support Team.
- Todd Ellis, Call2Recycle.
- Jim Gessford, The Toro Company.
- Ted Randell, District Department of Transportation.
- Jay Townley, Human Powered Solutions.