---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 6966c"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "6966c"
heading: "Best practices for battery recycling and labeling guidelines"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/6966c"
units:
  - "Chapter 82 — Solid Waste Disposal"
  - "Subchapter VI — Federal Responsibilities"
---

# §6966c. Best practices for battery recycling and labeling guidelines

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Administrator—** The term “[Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1)” means the [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) of the Environmental Protection [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Battery—** The term “battery” means a device that—
    - (A) consists of 1 or more electrochemical cells that are electrically connected; and
    - (B) is designed to store and deliver electric energy.
  - (3) **Recycling—** The term “recycling” means the series of activities—
    - (A) during which recyclable materials are processed into specification-grade commodities, and consumed as raw-material feedstock, in lieu of [virgin materials](/usc/42/6903.md?p=35), in the manufacturing of new products;
    - (B) that may include collection, processing, and brokering; and
    - (C) that result in subsequent consumption by a materials manufacturer, including for the manufacturing of new products.
- (b) **Best practices for collection of batteries to be recycled—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) shall develop best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) that may be implemented by [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31), Tribal, and local governments with respect to the collection of batteries to be recycled in a manner that—
    - (A) to the maximum extent practicable, is technically and economically feasible for [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31), Tribal, and local governments;
    - (B) is environmentally sound and safe for waste management workers; and
    - (C) optimizes the value and use of material derived from recycling of batteries.
  - (2) **Consultation—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) shall develop the best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) described in [paragraph (1)](#b-1) in coordination with [State](/usc/42/6903.md?p=31), Tribal, and local governments and relevant nongovernmental and private sector entities.
  - (3) **Report—** Not later than 2 years after November 15, 2021, the [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) shall submit to Congress a report describing the best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) developed under [paragraph (1)](#b-1).
  - (4) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to the [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, to remain available until September 30, 2026.
- (c) **Voluntary labeling guidelines—**
  - (1) **In general—** There is established within the Environmental Protection [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) a program (referred to in this subsection as the “program”) to promote battery recycling through the development of—
    - (A) voluntary labeling guidelines for batteries; and
    - (B) other forms of communication materials for battery producers and consumers about the reuse and recycling of critical materials from batteries.
  - (2) **Purposes—** The purposes of the program are to improve battery collection and reduce battery waste, including by—
    - (A) identifying battery collection locations and increasing accessibility to those locations;
    - (B) promoting consumer education about battery collection and recycling; and
    - (C) reducing safety concerns relating to the improper [disposal](/usc/42/6903.md?p=3) of batteries.
  - (3) **Other standards and law—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that voluntary labeling guidelines and other forms of communication materials developed under the program are consistent with—
    - (A) international battery labeling standards; and
    - (B) the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act ([42 U.S.C. 14301](/usc/42/14301.md) et seq.).
  - (4) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to the [Administrator](/usc/42/6903.md?p=1) to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, to remain available until September 30, 2026.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–58, div. G, title IV, § 70401, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1261.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B), is Pub. L. 104–142, May 13, 1996, 110 Stat. 1329, which is classified generally to chapter 137 (§ 14301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 14301 of this title and Tables.

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and not as part of the Solid Waste Disposal Act which comprises this chapter.