New York City's Rechargeable Battery Law
Retailer Requirements
Effective December 2006, the New York City rechargeable battery law (Local Law 97 of 2005) requires New York City stores that sell rechargeable batteries (or products containing rechargeable batteries) to accept rechargeable batteries for recycling during normal business hours, no purchase necessary.
It is illegal to discard rechargeable batteries in the trash (or residential recycling containers) in New York City.
Manufacturers are required to pay for the cost of collection and disposal of rechargeable batteries. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) is an organization set up by rechargeable battery manufacturers to facilitate the recycling of these products. RBRC runs a free rechargeable battery recycling program that your company can utilize to be in compliance with the NYC Rechargeable Battery Law.
What kinds of stores are required to comply?
How can New York City retailers comply?
How can online, mail, and telephone retailers comply?
What must be accepted?
Why rechargeable batteries?
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What kinds of stores are required to comply?
With the exception of food stores with less than 14,000 square feet of display space, all New York City stores that sell rechargeable batteries (or products containing rechargeable batteries) must accept rechargeable batteries for recycling.
Retailers who sell rechargeable batteries (or products containing rechargeable batteries) through the internet, mail, or telephone to NYC residents must notify their customers about opportunities to recycle rechargeable batteries at no cost.
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How can New York City retailers comply?
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Sign up online for the free RBRC recycling program. Go to their retailer page at www.call2recycle.org or call (800) 8-BATTERY. Participants will receive a free collection container.
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Set up a convenient location within the store to accept rechargeable batteries.
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Post a sign ( 8.5” x 11”) near store entrance that states:
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It is illegal to dispose of rechargeable batteries in the city of New York as solid waste. We accept used rechargeable batteries for return to the manufacturer.
RBRC has free sample signs available for download for their participants.
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Accept rechargeable batteries (up to ten per person) during normal business hours, no purchase necessary.
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Mail back full rechargeable battery collection containers to RBRC using the shipping label on the container. |
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How can online, mail, and telephone retailers comply?
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Online, mail, and telephone retailers must notify customers purchasing rechargeable batteries (or products containing rechargeable batteries) about how to recycle rechargeable batteries at no cost.
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Notification must occur either at the time of purchase or delivery of the product.
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Notification Examples include:
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Information on receipt, invoice, or confirmation e-mail.
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Information on separate e-mail or message.
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Flyer or return envelope provided within product packaging or shipping container.
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The required notice can include any program where there is no cost to the customer to return rechargeable batteries. |
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All retailers can use the RBRC program to notify their customers.
RBRC maintains a website (www.call2recycle.org) and two "hotline" phone numbers (1-800-8-BATTERY and 1-877-2-RECYCLE), where individuals can find a location to bring rechargeable batteries for recycling.
RBRC provides free web banners for online retailers who wish to include a link to the RBRC website. |
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What must be accepted?
Nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, or small lead rechargeable batteries.
Stores are only required to accept the same types of rechargeable batteries that they sell; however, the RBRC program accepts all rechargeable batteries at no cost to the retailer.
Store must also accept rechargeable batteries found in the products they sell.
Examples of products containing rechargeable batteries include cellular and cordless phones, digital cameras, MP3 players, laptop computers, remote control toys, electric razors, and cordless power tools.
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Why rechargeable batteries?
While rechargeable batteries reduce waste and can be more economical than regular household batteries, they may contain mercury, cadmium, lead and other heavy metals.
Prior to this law passing, over 300 retailers in NYC already accepted rechargeable batteries for recycling through the RBRC program. Various wireless providers have also been accepting cell phones and accessories, including their rechargeable batteries, for recycling or donation to charity.
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