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Committee backs SB 912 to create Safe Battery Collection and Recovery Act requiring producer stewardship organizations
Summary
The committee reported committee substitute for SB 912 favorably after sponsors and industry supporters described a producer-funded battery stewardship model requiring Battery Stewardship Organizations to file annual plans with DEP; supporters cited growing battery volumes and MRF fire risks.
Senator McLean introduced SB 912, the Safe Battery Collection and Recovery Act, and presented an amendment requiring producers and retailers of covered batteries or battery-containing products to join or form a Battery Stewardship Organization (BSO) by Jan. 1, 2028; BSOs must submit annual stewardship plans to DEP and promote plan implementation. The amendment was adopted.
Industry witnesses including representatives of the Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA), the National Waste and Recycling Association (Florida chapter), and the Consumer Technology Association voiced support. PRBA’s representative emphasized the scale of the battery market and the surge in battery-containing products, noting battery-category growth ("By 2024, it was $40,000,000,000" in the U.S., as stated in testimony) and warned of fire risks at material-recovery facilities when batteries enter the recycling stream.
Supporters argued a stewardship model will reduce batteries in the waste stream, lower fire and contamination risk at MRFs, and create organized end-of-life recycling. Senator McLean closed by urging support for a statewide stewardship program; the committee reported the committee substitute for SB 912 favorably.
