Rep. Sharon Chung Advances Battery Stewardship Act Out of Committee

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, is working to help Illinoisans engage in safe and environmentally friendly disposal practices by advancing a bill that makes it easier to dispose of and recycle batteries.

“As we look to increasingly rely on batteries to help us power a clean energy future, we need to make sure that we minimize the environmental impacts of the batteries themselves,” said Chung. “This bill will make sure that battery distributors are responsible for the batteries they sell from beginning to end, and that communities have the education and systems needed to safely dispose of or recycle their batteries.”

Chung created bipartisan support for The Portable and Medium-Format Battery Stewardship Act, also known as House Bill 5348, in the Energy & Environment Committee. The bill will make battery disposal easier in several ways. It requires battery sellers and distributors to create battery stewardship plans for the collection, disposal, and recycling of batteries. It also requires batteries be labeled with information about proper disposal and other forms of educational outreach.  The bill now advances to the House floor where it will be voted on by the full body.

“People want to play their part in maintaining the cleanliness and safety of their communities,” Chung said. “Unfortunately, the chemicals and pollutants found in many types of batteries makes the improper disposal of batteries a risk of serious pollution. This legislation will make sure Illinoisans can easily dispose of their batteries with confidence, and that we are able to minimize the risks associated with this important part of powering our present and future.”