Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) attended PRBA’s Annual Meeting on October 24th and discussed with PRBA members the Agency’s plans to propose a new category of universal waste regulations specifically for lithium batteries. EPA has expressed concerns in the past regarding the number of fires occurring at lithium battery recycling facilities and believes that new management standards “will improve safety standards and reduce fires from mismanaged end-of-life lithium batteries, while continuing to promote battery recycling.” PRBA plans to schedule formal meetings with EPA to explore alternative management practices for certain waste lithium ion batteries that could be considered for future universal waste rulemakings.
Learn more about PRBA membership and have a say in upcoming battery regulation and lawmaking here.