§ 6966c. Best practices for battery recycling and labeling guidelines

• (a) In this section:
  • (1) The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
  • (2) The term “battery” means a device that—
    • (A) consists of 1 or more electrochemical cells that are electrically connected; and
    • (B) is designed to store and deliver electric energy.
  • (3) The term “recycling” means the series of activities—
    • (A) during which recyclable materials are processed into specification-grade commodities, and consumed as raw-material feedstock, in lieu of virgin materials, in the manufacturing of new products;
    • (B) that may include collection, processing, and brokering; and
    • (C) that result in subsequent consumption by a materials manufacturer, including for the manufacturing of new products.
• (b)
  • (1) The Administrator shall develop best practices that may be implemented by State, Tribal, and local governments with respect to the collection of batteries to be recycled in a manner that—
    • (A) to the maximum extent practicable, is technically and economically feasible for State, Tribal, and local governments;
    • (B) is environmentally sound and safe for waste management workers; and
    • (C) optimizes the value and use of material derived from recycling of batteries.
  • (2) The Administrator shall develop the best practices described in paragraph (1) in coordination with State, Tribal, and local governments and relevant nongovernmental and private sector entities.
  • (3) Not later than 2 years after November 15, 2021 , the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report describing the best practices developed under paragraph (1).
  • (4) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, to remain available until September 30, 2026 .
• (c)
  • (1) There is established within the Environmental Protection Agency a program (referred to in this subsection as the “program”) to promote battery recycling through the development of—
    • (A) voluntary labeling guidelines for batteries; and
    • (B) other forms of communication materials for battery producers and consumers about the reuse and recycling of critical materials from batteries.
  • (2) The purposes of the program are to improve battery collection and reduce battery waste, including by—
    • (A) identifying battery collection locations and increasing accessibility to those locations;
    • (B) promoting consumer education about battery collection and recycling; and
    • (C) reducing safety concerns relating to the improper disposal of batteries.
  • (3) The Administrator shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that voluntary labeling guidelines and other forms of communication materials developed under the program are consistent with—
    • (A) international battery labeling standards; and
    • (B) the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act ( 42 U.S.C. 14301 et seq.).
  • (4) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, to remain available until September 30, 2026 .