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Batteries power our phones, laptops, tools, toys—and increasingly, our waste and recycling systems are paying the price. Fires sparked by discarded lithium-ion batteries have damaged trucks and facilities, endangered workers, and cost businesses and taxpayers millions. Now, Colorado is tackling the problem head-on.

On May 8, the Colorado Legislature passed Senate Bill 25-163 (SB 25-163), the Battery Stewardship Act. The bill, which successfully passed both chambers of the legislature this week, establishes a comprehensive framework for the responsible collection, transportation, processing, and recycling of batteries throughout the state. This legislation makes Colorado the latest in a growing wave of states embracing extended producer responsibility (EPR) to manage dangerous and hard-to-recycle products. It now awaits the governor’s signature.

As battery-powered devices become more common—and dangerous when improperly discarded—Colorado’s legislation responds to urgent public safety and environmental needs.

What’s in the Battery Stewardship Act?

Under the new law, battery producers must join a battery stewardship organization that will finance and operate a statewide collection system by 2027. The law requires these programs to submit detailed plans to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), outlining how they’ll ensure accessible drop-off options across the state—particularly in underserved communities.

By 2029, retailers will no longer be allowed to sell batteries or battery-powered products from producers that aren’t part of an approved stewardship program. In 2030, disposal of covered batteries in landfills will be officially banned.ÌýOther key features include:

• Collection and recycling targets that build accountability into the system
• Consumer education to reduce improper disposal
• Performance reporting to ensure transparency and progress
• Landfill bans to protect the environment and spur recovery of critical materials

Why It Matters

Improper battery disposal creates serious risks—from fires at recycling centers to toxic chemicals in landfills. But batteries also contain valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel that can be recovered and reused when collected properly.

By shifting responsibility from taxpayers to battery producers, Colorado’s law:

• Prevents costly fires and environmental damage
• Keeps critical resources in the supply chain
• Makes recycling easier and more accessible for residents
• Reduces burdens on local governments

Local Leaders Champion the Cause

Shelly Fuller, Manager of Boulder County’s Hazardous Materials Management Facility (HMMF) and a member of the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), was instrumental in developing and advocating for the bill.  “The passage of the Battery Stewardship Act represents years of collaborative work to address one of the fastest-growing waste streams in Colorado,” said Fuller. “Our facility has seen firsthand the dangers posed by improperly disposed batteries, from fires at materials recovery facilities to environmental contamination. This legislation creates a systematic approach to battery collection that will not only protect our waste management infrastructure but also recover valuable materials that would otherwise be lost to landfills.”

Liz Chapman, Executive Director of Recycle Colorado and partner of PSI, also played a key role in building support for the legislation.Ìý“This bill is a win for consumers, businesses, and the environment,” Chapman said. “By establishing a producer-funded collection system, we’re removing the financial burden from local governments while making battery recycling more accessible to all Coloradans. The Battery Stewardship Act demonstrates how extended producer responsibility can create practical, sustainable solutions that benefit everyone involved in the product lifecycle.”

The National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) – Rocky Mountain Chapter, co-led the bill with Recycle Colorado. Together they worked with supportive champions eager to move this bill across the finish line.Ìý Waste Connections of Colorado’s Barrett Jensen, the Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Chairperson, provided the following comment in support of the collaboration and the legislation.Ìý“The waste and recycling industry has experienced firsthand the impacts of battery fires in our facilities and collection vehicles,” Jensen said. “This legislation addresses a critical safety issue for our workers while creating a sustainable funding mechanism for proper battery management. By bringing producers to the table to develop solutions for this difficult to manage waste stream, we’re building a system that works for everyone – consumers have convenient recycling options, local governments save money, and our facilities face fewer hazards. The collaborative approach taken to develop this bill shows that when all stakeholders work together, we can create practical solutions to complex waste management challenges.”

Rachel Setzke from Eco-Cycle, another PSI partner who championed the bill alongside Recycle Colorado, emphasized the importance of this legislation for Colorado’s circular economy goals.Ìý “The Battery Stewardship Act is a crucial step toward creating systems that keep valuable resources in circulation while protecting our communities from hazards,” said Setzke. “At Eco-Cycle, we’ve long advocated for producer responsibility as a cornerstone of sustainable materials management. This bill ensures that the companies profiting from battery sales will now help build and fund the infrastructure needed for their safe end-of-life management. It’s exactly the kind of forward-thinking policy Colorado needs as we work toward zero waste.”

A National Shift Toward Battery EPR

With this new law, Colorado joins the District of Columbia, Vermont, California, Illinois, and Washington in enacting statewide battery stewardship legislation. It’s part of a broader national movement to make producers more responsible for the full lifecycle of the products they create.ÌýThe Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) supported the development of this law by sharing policy models and best practices from other states and countries. As Colorado moves toward implementation, PSI will continue to provide guidance and technical support to help local and state leaders build a safer, more circular battery economy.

What’s next?

Colorado’s phased implementation timeline ensures time to build infrastructure and public awareness:

• July 2027: Battery stewardship organizations must submit plans to the state
• August 2027: Battery producers must participate in a stewardship organizations
• July 2029: Retailers prohibited from selling batteries from non-participating producers
• January 2030: Disposal of covered batteries in landfills is banned

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