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HB 6160

Environmental protection: recycling and waste utilization; recycling of single-use and rechargeable batteries; provide for. Amends heading of pt. 171 & secs. 17101, 17104, 17105b & 17107 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.17101 et seq.); designates secs. 17101 - 17109 as subpt.1 of pt. 171, adds subpt. 2 to pt. 171 & repeals sec. 17105c of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.17105c). TIE BAR WITH: HB 6159'26

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Aragona and 9 co-sponsors

The bill establishes a statewide battery stewardship system requiring producers to fund and implement collection, recycling, and reporting for all batteries, with staged disposal b

bill electronically reproduced 07/03/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 6160

Summary of HB 6160 (Michigan, 2025-2026)

Purpose and intent

HB 6160 proposes a comprehensive framework for recycling and waste utilization focused on batteries. It reorganizes and expands Michigan’s battery-related statutes by creating a two-part framework: Subpart 1 (Battery Disposal) and Subpart 2 (Battery Stewardship). The bill aims to reduce hazardous mercury battery disposal, establish collection and stewardship programs, and set clear requirements for producers, distributors, retailers, and collectors to manage end-of-life batteries responsibly.

Key provisions and changes

  • Subpart 1: Battery Disposal (existing framework, with updates)

    • Defines common battery types (alkaline manganese, lead-acid, mercuric oxide, nickel-cadmium, zinc-carbon) and roles (distributor, retailer, manufacturer).
    • Requires the Department to provide retailers with required notices; failure to post notices can result in civil fines ($25 per day).
    • Prohibits mercuric oxide button batteries for sale after January 1, 1996, and imposes responsibilities on manufacturers to provide collection sites and purchaser notices for mercury-containing batteries.
    • Enforces penalties for improper disposal of lead-acid and mercuric oxide batteries (various fines; separate violations for each battery).

  • Subpart 2: Battery Stewardship (new framework)

    • 2028-2029 milestones: Stop disposal of covered batteries outside approved stewardship programs; require disposal only through stewardship plans or department-approved methods. Starting 2028: Producers may not dispose of covered batteries outside a stewardship plan; by 2029, all disposal must go through a stewardship mechanism. Starting 2028: By July 1, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers may not sell or promote covered batteries unless they participate in an approved stewardship plan or belong to a stewardship organization with such a plan. Existing stock can be sold/disposed under phase-in allowances through Oct 2028 (batteries) or Oct 2029 (battery-containing products).
    • Stewardship plans (17127–17139): Independent producers or stewardship organizations must obtain Department approval, provide public notice, and implement plans within 180 days of approval. Plans must include:
    • Producer and brand information; collection site details; program performance metrics.
    • Education/outreach strategies and a description of collection-site operations.
    • Budget, funding mechanisms, and compliance with local/state/federal laws.
    • Provisions for damaged/defective batteries and equitable cost-sharing by counties.
    • Collection and accessibility (17131, 17139): Plans must ensure free, statewide, convenient battery collection with at least 2 collection sites per county (or 1 per 10,000 residents) and at least one site per county that accepts all batteries. Retailers may act as collection sites, with defined limits on daily drop-offs.
    • Battery recycler provisions (17132): Creates a registry for battery recyclers, permits independent battery collection programs, and requires annual reporting (weights, transport, processing, recycling efficiency) starting by June 1, 2030. Recyclers must register and pay a $1,000 annual fee; weight counts contribute to stewardship totals.
    • Funding and reporting (17143, 17147, 17149): Stewardship funds administered by the Department; annual administrative fees for programs; annual public reporting on collection weights, progress toward goals, and program costs.
    • Public records and transparency (17155): Most information is public, with confidentiality provisions for sensitive data; allows aggregation and sharing with EPA.
    • Enforcement and penalties (17159): Civil fines for violations; potential injunctive relief; fines may be collected into the Battery Stewardship Fund.

Who is affected

  • Producers, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers of batteries and battery-containing products.
  • Stewardship organizations and independent producers responsible for developing and implementing stewardship plans.
  • Battery collection sites, retailers acting as collection sites, and battery recyclers.
  • Local governments and counties that host collection sites and may incur costs for implementing or supporting collection programs.
  • Consumers, who benefit from free, accessible battery collection and recycling options.

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • 2028: Prohibition on disposal of covered batteries outside stewardship programs begins; multiple changes to sale/distribution requirements apply.
  • 2029: Expanded disposal prohibition to battery-containing products; ongoing implementation of stewardship requirements.
  • By 180 days after plan approval: stewardship programs must be implemented.
  • By June 1, 2030 and annually thereafter: stewardship organizations submit annual reports; battery weights are tracked and reported.
  • Plan terms: up to 4 years, with renewal processes aligned to department review.

Note: HB 6160 is tied to HB 6159/HB 6159’26 and includes repeals and enacting sections as part of a broader environmental protection and waste management package.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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