Vermont was the first state to draft legislation for proper battery disposal back in 2016. Now, state lawmakers and environmental organizations have expanded The Battery Stewardship Program, allowing for safer disposal and less waste.
The program is a partnership between the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and The Battery Network. Vermonters can now drop off single-use and lithium-ion batteries weighing less than 25 pounds at any of the state’s locations. Thanks to the new legislation, there are more than 100 retail stores and municipal offices accepting materials.
“We’ve tried to build an accessible collection network so you can go about your everyday life and still recycle these batteries. They’re at retailers that we all go to, as well as your solid waste management entities where, or municipal recycling facilities,” said Todd Ellis, vice president of services and solutions at TBN.