The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) significantly impacts battery recycling efforts in the United States by promoting sustainable practices and investments in recycling infrastructure. Here are some key ways the law affects battery recycling:
- Funding for Best Practices and Labeling:
- The law allocates $10 million for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop best practices in battery recycling. This aims to improve the efficiency and safety of recycling processes.
- An additional $15 million is allocated for battery labeling guidelines to enhance consumer awareness and facilitate proper disposal practices. This includes funding for a multimedia outreach campaign to promote battery recycling.
- Promoting Battery Collection and Recycling:
- The BIL promotes nationwide battery collection and recycling. This helps ensure that valuable materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt are not lost during waste disposal, reducing the environmental risks associated with mining these materials.
- Strengthening the Domestic Battery Supply Chain:
- By enhancing battery recycling capabilities, the law supports the development of a robust domestic battery supply chain. This reduces reliance on foreign-made batteries and aligns with broader strategies to boost domestic manufacturing of clean energy technologies.
- Specific Program Funding:
- The State and Local Battery Recycling Program, funded through the BIL, provides financial support to local initiatives. For example, $2.3 million was allocated to Erie County to improve its battery recycling program, which focuses on collecting and repurposing old batteries into new, rechargeable ones.
Overall, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is instrumental in advancing battery recycling by providing financial resources for best practices, promoting the reuse of valuable materials, and supporting a more sustainable domestic battery manufacturing industry.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-impact-battery-recycling-efforts/
