By KEYNA CORY
This legislative session, the Florida Legislature came close to taking an important step forward with the Safe Battery Collection and Recovery Act, SB 912, sponsored by Sen. Stan McClain.
Although the bill ultimately did not pass, supporters are expected to file the legislation again during the 2027 Legislative Session. As batteries become increasingly common in everyday life, powering everything from cell phones and laptops to power tools, e-bikes and electric vehicles, Florida’s waste and recycling systems must adapt to address the growing safety and environmental challenges associated with improper battery disposal.
One of the most important aspects of SB 912 is that it would modernize outdated statutory definitions related to batteries and battery management. Florida’s existing laws were written long before lithium-ion batteries became a standard part of consumer products. Today, these batteries are everywhere, and when they are improperly thrown into household trash or curbside recycling bins, they can create dangerous fires at recycling facilities, transfer stations, landfills and even inside collection trucks.
Across the country, waste and recycling operators have reported a dramatic increase in fires caused by damaged or improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries. These fires threaten worker safety, damage expensive infrastructure, interrupt recycling operations and create significant costs for local governments and private companies. In some cases, fires can smolder for days and release harmful pollutants into the air.
SB 912 would help address this growing issue by establishing a battery stewardship organization that would coordinate and support the safe collection and recovery of batteries throughout Florida. Stewardship programs are designed to create shared responsibility among manufacturers, retailers, consumers and waste professionals to ensure batteries are managed safely at the end of their useful life. By creating a statewide framework, Florida could improve battery recovery access, reduce fire risks and keep hazardous materials out of landfills.
Education will also play a critical role in addressing this issue. Many Floridians simply do not realize that batteries should never be placed in standard trash or recycling bins. Fortunately, Florida already has strong educational resources that can help raise awareness.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s “Take Charge Florida” campaign provides consumers with important information about safe battery handling, storage, and recycling options. The campaign encourages residents to properly prepare batteries for recycling and understand the risks associated with improper disposal. https://floridadep.gov/TakeChargeFlorida
In addition, the National Waste & Recycling Association has partnered with Woodsy Owl on the “Skip the Bin, Turn Your Batteries In” campaign. This national educational initiative uses simple messaging to remind consumers that batteries do not belong in curbside recycling or household garbage. Campaigns like these are essential to changing public behavior and protecting workers and facilities across the waste and recycling industry. https://batterysafetynow.org/
While SB 912 did not cross the finish line this year, the conversation surrounding battery safety and recovery is far from over. As battery use continues to grow, so too will the need for responsible collection, recycling, and recovery systems. Refiling the legislation in 2027 will provide another opportunity for Florida to modernize state law, improve public safety and support a more sustainable future for communities across the state.
Keyna Cory is President of Public Affairs Consultants, a governmental consulting and public affairs firm based in Tallahassee, Florida. Through her extensive experience in government relations and public policy, she has worked closely with the solid waste and recycling industry to advance legislative priorities and advocate for policies that support sustainable waste management and recycling initiatives.
