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Winnebago committee unanimously backs producer-funded battery stewardship bills
Summary
After a presentation from the county solid waste director on collection costs, storage and fire risks, the committee voted unanimously to support producer-funded battery stewardship legislation (AB713/SB702) intended to expand and standardize battery recycling across Wisconsin.
The Winnebago County legislative committee voted unanimously to support producer-funded battery stewardship legislation referred to in materials as AB713 (and companion SB702), after hearing a staff presentation on operational costs, fire risk and handling complexity.
Kathy Hunter, director of solid waste, told the committee the county has collected rechargeable batteries since 2009 but that the prior free program (Call2Recycle) ended in 2023, and current handling now carries an operational cost. She estimated that, at current collection rates, rechargeable-battery processing costs the county about $3,000 a year for roughly 1,000 pounds of material; expanding to include single-use alkaline batteries would materially increase disposal and storage needs and add staff time for sorting and packaging.
“Some batteries, if they’re damaged, are a high risk for the buyer,” Kathy said, and emphasized training, safe storage and Department of Transportation requirements for shipping as reasons the county supports an industry-run collection model. She also noted complications for devices with embedded batteries (for example, vapes) that can contain controlled substances and require separate handling.
Committee members raised incidents of fires at transfer and recycling facilities and asked how much battery material still ends up in the trash. Kathy confirmed recurring, usually small incidents at the transfer station and noted that serious fires at recycling facilities in other counties have led to long shutdowns in past years.
After discussion, the chair moved and the committee approved the motion to support the bills by voice vote. The committee record shows a unanimous voice vote to forward support for AB713/SB702.
Why it matters: a statewide, producer-funded stewardship program would shift disposal and collection costs from county solid-waste departments to producers, standardize collection, raise public education and reduce fire risk in transfer stations and recycling facilities.
Next step: the county will transmit the committee’s support to the legislative record and follow any DNR program rules or funding provisions attached to the bills.
