Lead-acid battery recycling in the United States is regulated by both federal and state authorities. BCI offers a state-by-state summary of battery recycling laws free of charge.
Arizona
Effective Date: 9/27/90
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):
Required (varies)y: amended 2016
Split of Deposit: 100% retailer
Deposit Refund Period: 45 days
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: A battery with a core of elemental lead and a capacity of six or more volts which is suitable for use in a vehicle or boat.
Arkansas
Effective Date: 7/1/92
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):;Required ($10)
Split of Deposit: 100% retailer
Deposit Refund Period: 30 days
Point of Sale Signb: State
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: A battery with a core of elemental lead and a capacity of six or more volts.
California
Effective Date: 1/1/89; amended 2016, 2019
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):Required (varies, stationary storage batteries exempt)y
Split of Deposit:N/A
Deposit Refund Period:45 days
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): $1; $2 starting April 1, 2022 (stationary storage batteries exempt)
Definition: “Lead-acid battery” means a battery weighing over five kilograms that is primarily composed of both lead and sulfuric acid, whether sulfuric acid is in liquid, solid, or gel state, with a capacity of six volts or more that is used for any of the following purposes:
(1) As a starting battery that is designed to deliver a high burst of energy to an internal combustion engine until it starts.
(2) As a motive power battery that is designed to provide the source of power for propulsion or operation of a vehicle, including a watercraft.
(3) As a stationary storage or standby battery that is designed to be used in systems where the battery acts as either electrical storage for electricity generation equipment or a source of emergency power, or otherwise serves as a backup in case of failure or interruption in the flow of power from the primary source.
(4) As a source of auxiliary power to support the electrical systems in a vehicle, as defined in Section 670 of the Vehicle Code, including an implement of husbandry as defined in Section 36000 of the Vehicle Code, or an aircraft.
Colorado
Effective Date: 7/7/07
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):Allowed ($10 minimum)
Split of Deposit:100% retailer
Deposit Refund Period:30 days
Point of Sale Signb: No
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:A battery that: a) consists of lead and sulfuric acid; b) is used as a power source; and c) is not intended as a power source for consumer products.
Connecticut
Effective Date: 10/1/90
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Required: $5
Split of Deposit:100% retailer
Deposit Refund Period:30 days
Point of Sale Signb: No
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:A lead-acid battery or a motor vehicle battery.
Florida
Effective Date: 1/1/89
BCI Model: No
Deposita (refundable):Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period:N/A
Point of Sale Signb: No
Fee (Nonrefundable): $1.50o
Definition:Under the recycling provisions, the term lead-acid battery is undefined. Under the battery fee provisions, the term is defined as follows: "Those lead-acid batteries designed for use in motor vehicles, vessels, and aircraft, and includes such batteries when sold as a component part of a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft, but not when sold to recycle components."
Georgia
Effective Date: 1/1/91
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit:N/A
Deposit Refund Period:N/A
Point of Sale Signb:Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:The term lead-acid battery is undefined, however, the law applies only to "lead-acid vehicle batteries.
Hawaii
Effective Date: 1/1/90
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit:N/A
Deposit Refund Period:N/A
Point of Sale Signb: State
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:The term lead-acid battery is undefined, however, the law appears to apply to "motor vehicle or other lead-acid batteries.
Idaho
Effective Date: 7/1/91
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):Required($10)
Split of Deposit:100% retailer
Deposit Refund Period:30 days
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:A battery with a core of elemental lead and a capacity of six or more volts which is suitable for use in farm equipment, construction equipment, a motor vehicle or a boat. Batteries only suitable for motor cycles, off-road recreation vehicles or lawn and garden equipment are exempt from the fees in this chapter.
Illinois
Effective Date: 9/1/90
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit:N/A
Deposit Refund Period:N/A
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:A battery containing lead and sulfuric acid that has a nominal voltage of at least six volts and is intended for use in motor vehicles.
Indiana
Effective Date: 1/1/91
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit:N/A
Deposit Refund Period:N/A
Point of Sale Signb:Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:Abattery that: 1) contains lead and sulfuric acid; and 2) has a nominal voltage of at least six volts.
Iowa
Effective Date: 7/1/90
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit:N/A
Deposit Refund Period:N/A
Point of Sale Signb:Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:The term lead-acid battery is undefined.
Kansas
Effective Date: 7/1/90
BCI Model: No
Deposita (refundable): N/A z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Sign: No
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:The term lead-acid battery is undefined.
Kentucky
Effective Date: 7/13/90
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit:N/A
Deposit Refund Period:N/A
Point of Sale Signb:Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:The term lead-acid battery is undefined.
Louisiana
Effective Date: 9/1/89
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit:N/A
Deposit Refund Period:N/A
Point of Sale Signb:Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:The term lead-acid battery is undefined, however, the law applies to "motor vehicle batteries or other lead-acid batteries.
Maine
Effective Date: 10/30/89
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):Required ($10)
Split of Deposit:100% retailer
Deposit Refund Period:30 days
Point of Sale Signb:State
Fee (Nonrefundable): $1.00p
Definition:A device designed and used to store electrical energy through chemical reactions involving lead and acid.
Massachusetts
Effective Date: 12/31/90
BCI Model: Nog
Deposita (refundable):Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit:N/A
Deposit Refund Period:N/A
Point of Sale Signb:No
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:The term lead battery is undefined and unqualified in the regulation.
Michigan
Effective Date: 4/1/90
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit:N/A
Deposit Refund Period:N/A
Point of Sale Signb:State
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: A storage battery, that is used to start an internal combustion engine or as the principal electrical power source for a vehicle, in which the electrodes are grids of lead containing lead oxides that change in composition during charging and discharging, and the electrolyte is dilute sulfuric acid.
Minnesota
Effective Date: 10/4/89
BCI Model:Yesf
Deposita (refundable): Required ($10)
Split of Deposit:100% retailer
Deposit Refund Period:30 days
Point of Sale Signb:State
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead-acid battery is undefined.
Mississippi
Effective Date: 7/1/91
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: State
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead-acid battery is undefined, however, the law applies to "motor vehicle batteries or other lead-acid batteries.
Missouri
Effective Date: 1/1/91
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: State
Fee (Nonrefundable): $0.50
Definition: A battery designed to contain lead and sulfuric acid with a nominal voltage of at least six volts and of the type intended for use in motor vehicles and watercraft.
Kansas City, MO
Effective Date: 3/14/90
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable):N/A
Split of Deposit:N/A
Deposit Refund Period:N/A
Point of Sale Signb:Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition:Any battery that consists of lead and sulfuric acid, is used as a power source, and has a capacity of six (6) volts or more.
Nebraska
Effective Date: 9/1/94
BCI Model: Noi
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: No
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead-acid battery is undefined and unqualified in the law.
Nevada
Effective Date: 1/1/92
BCI Model: Nog
Deposita (refundable): N/A
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: No
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead battery is undefined, however, the law applies to "motor vehicle batteries."
New Hampshire
Effective Date: 1/1/91
BCI Model: Nog
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: No
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead battery is undefined, however, the law applies to "motor vehicle or wet cell batteries."
New Jersey
Effective Date: 10/9/91
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: A lead acid electric storage battery designed for use in motor vehicles, aviation equipment or marine vessels.
New Mexico
Effective Date: 12/31/91
BCI Model: Nog
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: No
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead battery is undefined and unqualified in the regulation.
New York
Effective Date: 1/1/91
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Required ($5)*
Split of Deposit: 100% retailer
Deposit Refund Period: 30 days
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: Any battery with a capacity of six or more volts which contains lead and sulfuric acid and which is used as a power source in a vehicle.
*Explanatory Note:The state-mandated deposit is referred to as a “return incentive fee”. According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, retailers are allowed to charge other fees and/or refunds so long as the retailer makes it “clear to the consumer, at the point of sale, that the fee is imposed at the discretion of the retailer and is not in any way associated with the state-mandated return incentive fee.” “Any such additional fees or refunds must be individually itemized on sales invoices.” NYDEC Letter to BCI, May 19, 2017.
North Carolina
Effective Date: 1/1/91
BCI Model: No
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead battery is undefined, however, the law applies to "motor vehicle batteries or other lead-acid batteries.
North Dakota
Effective Date: 1/1/92
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: No
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead battery is undefined.
Ohio
Effective Date: 4/25/92
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: "Lead-acid battery" means a battery that contains lead and sulfuric acid, is "used as a power source, and is not intended as a power source for consumer products.
Oklahoma
Effective Date: 9/1/93
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: A lead-acid electrical device used in boats, planes and motor vehicles.
Oregon
Effective Date: 1/1/90
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead battery is undefined.
Pennsylvania
Effective Date: 7/26/89
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: State
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead battery is undefined, however, the law applies to "motor vehicle batteries or other lead-acid batteries".
Rhode Island
Effective Date: 1/1/89
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: 7 days
Point of Sale Signb: State
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: Batteries used in any vehicle, or of a capacity of six (6) volts or more, and of one hundred fifty (150) pounds or less in weight, and like batteries in stationary uses.
South Carolina
Effective Date: 5/27/91
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Required ($5)x
Split of Deposit: 100% retailer
Deposit Refund Period: 30 days
Point of Sale Signb: State
Fee (Nonrefundable): $2m
Definition: Any battery that consists of lead and sulfuric acid, is used as a power source, and has a capacity of six volts or more, except that this term shall not include a small sealed lead-acid battery. A small sealed lead-acid battery weighs twenty-five pounds or less, and is used in non-vehicular, non-SLI (starting lighting ignition) applications.
South Dakota
Effective Date: 7/1/92
BCI Model: No
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: No
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead battery is undefined.
Tennessee
Effective Date: 7/1/92
BCI Model: Noq
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: No
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead-acid battery is undefined, however, the law applies to "automobile batteries."
Texas
Effective Date: 9/1/92
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: State
Fee (Nonrefundable): $2/$3n
Definition: Any battery which contains lead and sulfuric acid.
Utah
Effective Date: 1/1/92
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer/Wholesaler
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead battery is undefined, however, the law applies to any "motor vehicle battery or other lead-acid battery."
Vermont
Effective Date: 6/17/94
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: Lead battery means a battery that consists of lead and sulfuric acid and is used as a power source." Nevertheless, the law exempts small sealed lead-acid batteries (weighs less than twenty-five pounds, is used in non-vehicular applications and is not used as the principal source for transportation, including automobiles, motorcycles, and boats).
Virginia
Effective Date: 7/1/90
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: State
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead battery is defined as "any wet cell battery."
Washington
Effective Date: 7/23/89
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Required ($5 minimum)
Split of Deposit: 100% retailer
Deposit Refund Period: 30 days
Point of Sale Signb: State
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: Batteries capable for use in any vehicle, having a core consisting of elemental lead, and a capacity of six or more volts.
West Virginia
Effective Date: 4/6/94
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: Retailer/Wholesaler
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: Lead-acid battery means an encasement which contains or contained lead and sulfuric acid to produce an electrical charge.
Wisconsin
Effective Date: 1/1/91
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Required ($10, amended 2014)j
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: State
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead battery is undefined, however, the law applies to any "motor vehicle battery or other lead-acid battery."
Wyoming
Effective Date: 6/8/89
BCI Model: Yes
Deposita (refundable): Allowed (varies)z
Split of Deposit: N/A
Deposit Refund Period: N/A
Point of Sale Signb: State
Fee (Nonrefundable): N/A
Definition: The term lead-acid battery is undefined, however, the law applies to any "motor vehicle battery or other lead-acid battery."
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State Recycling Laws Information
Information on individual state recycling laws can be found below and includes, but is not limited to deposits, refunds and refund periods. To learn more about the language that must be posted at a lead battery’s point of sale, visit the State Lead Battery Laws Point of Sale Language page.
Wondering why you’re paying a battery core charge when you purchase a car battery? A core charge is a form of deposit paid when you purchase a battery and is refunded to you when a used battery is returned in exchange, either at the time of purchase or when you return to the store with the battery you replaced. Core charges promote battery recycling. In all 50 states, retailers can charge a battery core charge and in over 30 states, it is required by law.
If your state’s recycling laws are not listed below, view the BCI Model Legislation for state recycling laws. For more information on navigating state-by-state laws, check out the BCI Lead Battery State Retail and Recycling Laws Guidebook, which provides a comprehensive compilation of the laws and regulations in all 50 states that govern the retail sale and recycling of lead batteries. BCI members are eligible for a discount on pricing.
Click on the blue states below to see a pop-up with the information for that state.
a. Deposits are flat fees, minimums, or maximums.
b. This refers to whose responsibility it is to make the educational signs, the state or the retailer. A “No” indicates that there is no sign requirement.
d. Retailers in CT must take back batteries one-for-one at the point of sale.
e. Kansas City’s ordinance requires that retailers take back up to 3 batteries not at the point of sale, and it requires that junk batteries be stored in “an adequately ventilated enclosure in good repair that protects its contents from any precipitation, etc.” Any spilled acid must be immediately collected and neutralized.
f. MN limits the number of batteries that a consumer can return to retailers to 5 at a time.
g. NH, NM, NV and MA placed a ban on the landfilling and incineration of lead batteries only. NV will allow lead battery disposal at stat “permitted” facilities, however.
h. OR requires that until 12/31/93 retailers must accept at least 1 battery from consumers, after which they must only accept batteries one-for-one at the point of sale.
i. NE placed a prohibition on only the landfilling of lead batteries.
j. WI retailers may charge $3 per battery returned outside of the trade-in scheme.
k. UT requires retailers to take back a maximum of two used lead batteries from customers. In addition to the BCI model law, a 1998 regulation prohibits solid waste disposal of lead acid batteries.
l. ID requires all lead batteries sold to be labeled with a universally accepted recycling symbol. In addition, batteries used in motorcycles, off-road recreation vehicles or lawn and garden equipment are exempt from the deposit in lieu of a trade-in requirement.
m. SC requires retailers to collect a $2.00 fee for lead batteries sold to the ultimate consumer. The retailer may retain three percent of the collected fees to cover administrative costs. Fees collected by the state treasurer are to be deposited into a Solid Waste Management Trust Fund. Small sealed lead-acid batteries are now exempt from the fee and BCI model provisions; however, a study on the recycling of these batteries is required. See S.C. Code Ann. x 44-96-40(23).
n. TX requires the collection of a $2.00 and $3.00 fee for batteries less than 12volts, and, equal to or greater than 12 volts respectively. Exempted from the fee is any battery that is: 1) rated at less than 10 ampere hours; 2) sealed so that no access to the interior of the battery is possible without destroying the battery; and 3) with dimensions (sum of height, width and length) less than 15 inches. The fees are to be collected by any wholesaler or retailer who sells a battery not for resale. To cover administrative costs, the dealer may retain 2-1/2 cents per unit. All remaining money, less four percent to cover state administrative costs, goes to the state comptroller to be placed in a waste remediation fund.
o. FL requires the collection of a $1.50 fee per battery at the retail level.
p. ME requires the collection of a $1.00 fee per battery at the retail level.
q. TN prohibits landfills or incinerators in the state from accepting lead-acid batteries for incineration or disposal. Further, lead-acid battery retailers must accept used lead-acid batteries as trade-in batteries.
x. SC’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has declined to state whether the $5 is a maximum or minimum. However, DHEC instructed retailers that “if you determine that you, as a retailer, can charge more than the $ 5.00 regulatory amount, you should make sure that the consumer is aware that the amount in excess of the $ 5.00 regulatory amount is not a state-mandated fee, but is an additional fee being charged by you, the retailer.” If an additional deposit is charged, it should be disclosed as being in addition to the $5 state mandated deposit in POS signage and as a separate line-item on receipts.
y. State law requires that the dealer charge a deposit, but does not dictate what the deposit shall be. Each retailer may establish the deposit amount charged.
z. State law allows the dealer to charge a deposit, and does not dictate what the deposit shall be. Each retailer may determine whether to charge a deposit and establish the deposit amount charged.
There’s still a fair amount of risk-aversion at major carriers when it comes to lithium.