AB 2440 Summary

• Enacts the Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022, requiring producers to establish stewardship programs either individually or through stewardship organizations for collection and recycling of covered batteries, with stewardship plans subject to Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery approval by April 1, 2025.

• Establishes minimum collection site requirements (10 per county or one per 15,000 people, whichever is greater) and mandates free consumer drop-off of covered batteries at collection sites, with retailers having 5+ locations required to serve as permanent collection sites.

• Requires program operators to achieve minimum recycling efficiency rates of 60% for rechargeable batteries and 70% for primary batteries by January 1, 2027, and submit annual reports documenting collection, recycling, and outreach efforts.

• Imposes administrative civil penalties up to $10,000 per day for violations (or $50,000 per day for intentional, knowing, or reckless violations) and establishes a Covered Battery Recycling Fund through producer fee reimbursement to state agencies for regulatory costs.

• Phases out the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act of 2006 (inoperative September 30, 2026; repealed January 1, 2027) and the Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004 (inoperative September 30, 2027; repealed January 1, 2028), while preempting local battery stewardship ordinances adopted after January 1, 2023.