Earlier this month, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed S3723 into law, making New Jersey the first state to make producers responsible for electric and propulsion batteries. As an extended producer responsibility (EPR) bill, the Electric Hybrid Vehicle Battery Management Act requires battery producers to create and submit management plans to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The new law also requires the department to conduct a needs assessment to determine the availability of propulsion battery recycling operations and related infrastructure within the next six months. The department will then be directed to adopt rules and regulations establishing standards and criteria for battery management plans eighteen months later.
S3723 states, “A battery management plan shall, to the extent practicable, utilize existing recycling infrastructure. Where recycling infrastructure is not utilized, the electric vehicle battery management plan shall include the reasons for establishing a separate infrastructure.” The law also states, “The plan may include a complete vehicle take-back program, a battery take-back program, or any other such program approved by the department,” the law states.
With a ban on disposing of propulsion batteries in landfills looming soon, the department is also tasked with devising a way to address consumer complaints and a public education program.
Electric vehicles have been increasingly rising in popularity, which has magnified the growing concern of EV batteries. Like other electronic equipment, EV batteries contain lithium, making their disposal more difficult. Lithium-ion batteries are notorious for causing chemical fires when damaged, which can occur if discarded in landfills, in addition to the potential pollution they cause.
Disposition facilities like HOBI specialize in responsible IT asset disposition, including EV batteries. With more than 30 years of experience in the waste industry, HOBI focuses on maximizing economic return and mitigating environmental liability via electronics recycling.
Recycling e-waste keeps hazardous waste out of landfills and helps prevent pollution. HOBI’s value-added services, such as repair and remarketing opportunities, help expand the lifecycle of used IT assets and increase asset value.
For more information about our vITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.