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County staff outline rollout of Illinois Battery Stewardship Act, state program to expand battery recycling starting Jan. 1, 2026
Summary
Committee was briefed on the Illinois Battery Stewardship Act, which staff said will require statewide battery recycling for portable primary and rechargeable batteries beginning Jan. 1, 2026, with larger batteries phased in by 2028 and state grant funding to support local drop-off sites.
A staff member told the DuPage County Environmental Committee that the Illinois Battery Stewardship Act will begin state-wide implementation on Jan. 1, 2026, creating a product stewardship program for primary and rechargeable portable batteries.
“The Illinois Battery Stewardship Act… will launch 01/01/2026,” the staff member said. The staff member said the law initially covers smaller portable batteries and that larger battery types — such as e-bike packs and other high-capacity batteries — are slated to be accepted under later phases, with 2028 mentioned as a rollout target for larger units.
Staff said the state has allocated grant funding that will be made available to communities this fall to support new drop-off sites and that DuPage County staff are discussing potential local collection points. The presenter said many current drop-offs take only rechargeable batteries and that the stewardship program will expand primary battery collection across the state.
Committee members asked how collected batteries are processed. The presenter said the product stewardship organization operating under the law is required to recycle collected batteries and cited lithium as a valuable feedstock that can reduce dependence on foreign supply chains. The presenter described the state contract for recycling as more stringent in its most recent form, though county staff said they would follow up with specific contract details.
No formal action or vote followed the briefing; committee members asked staff to monitor the grant solicitation and work with municipalities on potential local drop-off locations.
