WAC 173-905-510

Effective July 1, 2027, for portable batteries and July 1, 2029, for medium format batteries, or the first date on which an approved plan begins to be implemented under this chapter by a battery stewardship organization, whichever comes first:

(1) All persons shall dispose of unwanted covered batteries through one of the following disposal options:

(a) Disposal using the collection sites established by or included in the programs created by this chapter;

(b) For covered batteries generated by persons that are regulated generators of covered batteries under federal or state hazardous or solid waste laws, disposal in a manner consistent with the requirements of those laws; or

(c) Disposal using local government collection facilities that collect batteries consistent with RCW 70A.555.070 (4)(c) and WAC 173-905-500(8);

(2) A fee may not be charged at the time unwanted covered batteries are delivered or collected for management.

(3) Covered batteries collected by the program must be collected, transported, and processed according to the standards established in an approved battery stewardship plan.

(4) A person may not place covered batteries in a waste container for general disposal, or in or on a container for recyclables unless there is a separate location or compartment for the covered battery that complies with local collection standards or guidelines.

(5) Collected batteries must be managed consistent with the prioritization outlined in the battery management hierarchy as defined in WAC 173-905-030.

(6) Collected batteries must be managed using environmentally sound management practices as defined in WAC 173-905-030.