Focus on… Washington D.C.

On 16^th March 2021, the District of Columbia Act 23-542 “Zero Waste Omnibus Amendment Act of 2020” became effective. This legislation, which establishes comprehensive organics site management and recycling infrastructure in Washington D.C., includes a Subtitle D: Extended Producer Responsibility for Batteries.

The new law mandates that all producers of batteries and battery-containing products sold or offered for sale in Washington D.C. – including retail, wholesale, business-to-business, and online sales – must participate in a battery stewardship organisation and implement a battery collection plan on a free, regular, convenient, and accessible basis.

Producers must register with and submit a battery stewardship plan to the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) by 1^st January 2022.

The DOEE is authorised to charge an annual administrative fee to a stewardship organisation to cover the costs of implementing and enforcing the Act’s requirements. These fees must be deposited into the Product Stewardship Fund.

By 1^st April 2023, and annually thereafter, a stewardship organisation must also submit a comprehensive report to the DOEE, containing various information, including details of the battery collection programme and the weight of batteries collected and sold in the District.

Washington D.C. is one of the territories covered by Landbell Group’s regulatory tracking service. Find out more about the service here.

For more information on EPR in Washington D.C., please contact us.