Listed below are states and municipalities/cities with disposal bans covering all types of rechargeable batteries. This includes Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), and Small Sealed Lead Acid (Pb). Retailers that sell rechargeable batteries are required to provide collection and recycling of these batteries for recycling, reuse, or proper disposal, at no cost to the consumer. The Call2Recycle program is an easy way to comply.
California
City of New York
Federal requirements for rechargeable batteries
Federal law requires, with certain exceptions, used Ni-Cd and Pb batteries to be managed as Universal Waste (40 CFR Part 273).
The Universal Waste Rule prohibits handlers (e.g., contractors) from disposing of waste Ni-Cd and Pb batteries and further indicates that these batteries must be sent for recycling.
Cell phone recycling laws
Listed below are states with disposal bans covering cell phones. Retailers that sell cell phones shall have in place a system for the acceptance and collection of used cell phones for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal. The Call2Recycle program is an easy way to comply
California
Maine
New York
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Documents
Download a PDF version of the EPA Battery Alert Booklet (.PDF, 64kb)
Download a PDF version of the Implementation of the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act (.PDF, 736kb)
EPA Certified RBRC Battery Recycling Seal
EPA information on the Universal Waste Rule governing the collection, storage, and transportation of used batteries
EPA official full text of the Universal Waste Rule
