Oregon Legislature passes bill establishing statewide Battery Producer Responsibility Program

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 4144 Thursday, establishing a statewide Battery Producer Responsibility Program to address the rise of lithium battery fires. The bill now moves to Governor Tina Kotek's desk for a final signature.

The legislation creates a producer-funded system for the collection and recycling of certain batteries and battery-containing products.

The new law shifts the costs of battery recycling and disposal from local governments and ratepayers to the manufacturers. By requiring producers to participate in a responsibility organization, the state aims to recover valuable materials and prevent hazardous batteries from entering the general waste stream.

The legislative action follows a decade-long increase in battery-related fires at recycling and solid waste facilities. These incidents have damaged infrastructure, increased insurance costs and threatened the safety of workers at transfer stations and landfills.

Representative Emerson Levy (D-Bend), a co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized the financial and safety risks associated with improper disposal. "This bill addresses a growing public safety issue caused by lithium batteries entering our waste system," Levy said. "These batteries are ending up in garbage trucks, transfer stations and landfills, sparking fires that not only endanger workers and the environment, but also cost taxpayers at least $10,000 per incident."

In Deschutes County alone, officials recorded 54 fires linked to battery disposal during the past year. Such fires have occasionally jeopardized the operations of critical disposal facilities entirely. Sen. Courtney Neron Misslin, who represents King City, Sherwood, Tigard and Wilsonville, described the legislation as a necessary preventative measure.

"This bill is a critical step in prevention of hazardous situations," Misslin said. "We must do everything we can to minimize risk, manage waste proactively, educate the public and prevent environmental contamination and fires." The program includes specific requirements for accessibility and convenience across the state.

State Senator Anthony Broadman, D-Bend, is among several other sponsors of the legislation.

Under the new rules:

• At least 95% of Oregon residents must have a battery collection site located within 15 miles of their home.
• Every city with a population of 4,000 or more is required to have at least one designated collection site.
• Producers will be responsible for funding consumer education and outreach programs to teach the public about safe disposal methods.
• A dedicated Battery Producer Responsibility Fund will be established to ensure the program remains operational and follows state regulations.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will oversee the program's implementation and adopt specific rules for compliance.