WAC 173-905-520

(1) Battery collection and handling standards. Collection sites shall adhere to the following collection and handling standards:

(a) Collected batteries exhibiting one or more of the dangerous waste characteristics or criteria identified in WAC 173-303-090 or 173-303-100 must be managed consistent with the standards for universal waste management in WAC 173-303-573.

(b) Collection sites must determine whether they meet the definition of a small quantity handler or large quantity handler of universal waste as defined in WAC 173-303-040. Once a collection site determines their status, they must meet the respective standards in WAC 173-303-573.

(c) A collection site that discovers material that is not a covered battery in a collection container becomes the generator and must determine whether the material is dangerous waste as defined under chapter 173-303 WAC and manage the waste accordingly.

(d) During collection and storage, lithium batteries, including both lithium metal and lithium-ion chemistries, must meet terminal protection requirements in a manner that complies with U.S. Department of Transportation shipping requirements in 40 C.F.R. 173.185.

(e) Collection sites shall monitor battery collection containers each operating day for evidence of materials that are not a covered battery and damaged batteries.

(f) The following restrictions apply to damaged and defective battery collection from generators:

(i) Collection sites may not accept damaged batteries with broken or breached cell casings from medium quantity generators and large quantity generators as defined in WAC 173-303-040;

(ii) Collection sites may not accept damaged batteries with broken or breached cell casings from small quantity generators as defined in WAC 173-303-040, unless the site is permitted to manage moderate risk waste under WAC 173-350-360, operates under a permit exemption under WAC 173-350-360, or is a treatment, storage, and disposal facility operating under a permit issued under chapter 173-303 WAC;

(g) For collection sites that collect or discover damaged and defective batteries, those batteries must be:

(i) Separated from all other batteries;

(ii) Stored in a dry environment away from extreme cold and extreme heat;

(iii) Stored separately from flammable and combustible materials;

(iv) Monitored once each operating day for evidence of worsening conditions such as swelling, fire, smoke, gas, melting, cracking, corrosion, leakage, or discoloration;

(v) In a container labeled as "damaged/defective battery"; and

(vi) Sent off-site for recycling or disposal no longer than 90 calendar days from the date of collection or discovery.

(2) Safety training.

(a) Collection sites shall inform all employees who handle, or have responsibility for handling, collected covered batteries of proper handling and emergency procedures appropriate to the types of batteries expected to be collected at the site.

(b) Battery stewardship organizations shall provide annual safety training to each collection site used by the program and maintain documentation for a minimum of five years.

(c) A collection site may not accept damaged and defective batteries unless the site is staffed by persons trained to handle damaged and defective batteries.

(3) Safety information.

(a) Battery stewardship organizations shall provide safety information related to covered battery collection to the operator of each collection site used by the program. At minimum, the information must include appropriate protocols to reduce the risk of spills or fires and response protocols in the event of a spill or fire, and the information must be updated as needed.

(b) Battery stewardship organizations shall provide all collection sites with safety information related to the discovery of damaged and defective batteries in a collection container.

(c) Collection sites shall establish specific emergency procedures relevant to their site and ensure facility personnel are able to effectively respond to emergencies.

(d) Collection sites shall post signage near the battery collection container with the name and telephone number of an on-site or on-call emergency contact such as a store manager, shift supervisor, or environmental health and safety lead.

(4) Emergency supplies. Battery stewardship organizations shall provide each collection site with emergency supplies and equipment appropriate for mitigating risks associated with damaged or defective batteries such as leaks and fires. This includes proper personal protective equipment and containment for damaged and defective batteries.