SALEM, Ore. – Oregon is making strides in battery recycling with the passage of House Bill 4144, establishing the statewide Battery Producer Responsibility Program.
According to the Oregon Legislature, this initiative aims to tackle the rising threat of lithium battery fires while enhancing recycling efforts. The new law mandates battery producers to fund and manage a statewide collection and recycling program. This shifts the financial burden from local governments to producers, improving public safety and ensuring valuable materials are recovered responsibly.
“This bill addresses a growing public safety issue caused by lithium batteries entering our waste system,” said Rep. Levy. “In Deschutes County alone, we saw 54 fires last year linked to battery disposal.”
Over the past decade, battery-related fires have increased at waste facilities, endangering workers and communities. Sen. Courtney Neron Misslin emphasized the bill’s importance in preventing hazardous situations and managing waste proactively.
Under the program, at least 95% of residents will have a collection site within 15 miles, and cities with populations over 4,000 will have at least one site. Producers must also fund education and outreach for safe disposal.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will oversee the program’s implementation and compliance. House Bill 4144 now awaits the governor’s signature.