Senate Bill 5144, sponsored by Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), has proposed to create a statewide stewardship program that requires battery producers to fund and participate in collecting and recycling batteries. The bill has been moved to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

The program aims to boost recycling rates, promote safe disposal, and reduce the waste of batteries. It also aims to reduce the costs of battery collection for cities and counties and decrease the risk of fires caused by rechargeable batteries in waste transfer stations. Furthermore, battery producers are required to conduct educational outreach to inform consumers about battery recycling options and drop-off sites to improve access for rural communities.

Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell) expressed the need for action to ensure that batteries containing hazardous materials do not accumulate in landfills, given that their use is expected to increase. He highlighted the potential of used batteries containing rare metals and chemicals for reuse in new products, suggesting that by holding producers responsible, they would be encouraged to design longer-lasting batteries and move toward a circular economy.