Establishes a product stewardship program for primary batteries

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Deborah Glick

Establishes a product stewardship program for primary batteries, shifting end-of-life costs to producers and creating take-back/recycling to curb improper disposal.

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

Overview

Bill Number: A 1324

Title: Establishes a product stewardship program for primary batteries

Primary Sponsor: Deborah Glick

Status: Referred to Environmental Conservation

Introduced: January 9, 2025

Related/Companion: S 2178 (companion in the Senate; multiple related Assembly bills in prior sessions include A 9921, A 6280, A 4105, A 6316, A 4010)

Purpose and Intent

A 1324 would establish a product stewardship framework specifically for primary batteries (non-rechargeable batteries) to manage their end-of-life handling. The goal is to reduce environmental harm from improper disposal, increase safe collection and recycling of primary batteries, and shift some responsibility for end-of-life costs and logistics from consumers to producers or other obligated entities.

Key Provisions (conceptual elements typically included in product stewardship programs)

Establishment of a formal product stewardship program for primary batteries.

Requirements for participation by producers, manufacturers, or other obligated entities to finance and operate end-of-life management.

Creation or designation of collection, take-back, or recycling pathways for used primary batteries.

Reporting and recordkeeping obligations to track quantities sold, collected, and processed.

Performance standards, goals, or benchmarks for recovery, recycling, and proper disposal.

Public education and outreach to inform consumers about proper disposal and recycling options.

Oversight and enforcement provisions, including compliance measures and penalties for noncompliance.

Potential timelines for implementation and any phased rollout.

Note: The exact provisions, duties, funding mechanisms, and enforcement details will be specified in the bill text itself.

Affected Parties

Primary battery manufacturers and other obligated entities under the program

Retailers and distributors selling primary batteries

Local governments and municipalities handling household hazardous waste programs

Recycling and waste-management facilities

Consumers who purchase and dispose of primary batteries

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

First action: Introduction and referral to the Environmental Conservation Committee on January 9, 2025.

Legislative path: As a bill moving through committee, it would undergo hearings, potential amendments, and floor consideration in the Assembly; a companion Senate bill is identified (S 2178), indicating cross-chamber interest and potential negotiated language.

Additional Context

The bill aligns with a broader legislative trend toward producer responsibility and product stewardship for hazardous or difficult-to-manage household products.

The related/broader set of prior-session bills (A 9921, A 6280, A 4105, A 6316, A 4010) and the companion S 2178 suggest ongoing interest in primary battery stewardship and potential convergence of provisions across sessions.

Next Steps for Readers

Monitor for committee hearings and amendments in Environmental Conservation.

Review the full bill text when available to understand specific obligations, funding mechanisms, and enforcement details.

Compare with the companion Senate bill S 2178 and prior-session related bills for a fuller policy picture.

Bill