EPA Considers New Recycling Rules for Lithium Batteries and Solar Panels

Proposed changes to federal universal waste regulations could clarify recycling requirements for end-of-life solar panels and improve lithium-ion battery handling and fire safety.

MONTREAL (RecyclingMonster): The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing new universal waste regulations for end-of-life solar panels and lithium-ion batteries under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

The proposed changes aim to clarify how these materials are collected, stored and recycled while addressing battery fire risks and supporting recovery of valuable materials, including critical minerals.

EPA Seeks Clearer Universal Waste Standards

Universal waste regulations generally provide simpler collection, storage and management requirements than fully regulated hazardous waste procedures.

Lithium batteries are already covered by existing federal battery universal waste regulations, but EPA is considering a separate category with safety standards tailored to lithium batteries.

For solar panels, the agency is considering adding hazardous-waste photovoltaic modules to federal universal waste rules. Some states already have their own solar panel requirements.

Draft Rule Remains Pending

EPA announced plans for the rulemaking in 2023, but a proposed rule has not yet been published.

At a recent Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials meeting, EPA environmental protection specialist Kathy Lett indicated that a proposal could be released in spring 2027 for public comment.

"Our focus is getting the rulemaking out as fast as we can within our process," Lett said.

EPA's regulatory agenda currently lists August 2027 as the estimated date for a final rule, although the timetable remains subject to change.

Courtesy: www.wastedive.com