HB1602

Im 100% in favor of recycling batteries. They can be used for their valuable metals in many industries and towards new batteries. Metals cobalt, nickel, lithium, zinc, manganese are mined- why throw it away and deplete are natural resources when we already have it? Lets make good sense of this opportunity and recycle batteries and stop thinking wastefully.

Pushes cost of battery disposal back to the producers, promoting more environmentally friendly designs.

I am testifying in support of the battery stewardship program because it provides several key benefits: • Environmental protection: Ensures batteries are safely collected and disposed of, reducing toxic materials entering landfills, incinerators, and the environment. • Cost savings for municipalities: Local governments no longer pay for battery collection boxes or disposal, with estimated potential savings of at least $150,000 annually statewide. • Producer responsibility: Shifts financial and operational responsibility for battery waste management from taxpayers and municipalities to battery producers, aligning costs with product lifecycle impacts. • Expanded and consistent recycling access: Creates a uniform, statewide system that improves convenient access to battery recycling for residents and businesses. • No net cost to the state: Program costs, including a part-time Environmental Scientist IV, are fully reimbursed by administrative payments collected from the battery stewardship organization, resulting in a net-neutral impact on state funds. • Regulatory clarity and oversight: Establishes clear standards, timelines, and accountability through DES oversight of approved stewardship plans and annual reporting. Overall, the program improves environmental outcomes, enhances public safety, saves local money, and ensures responsible end-of-life management for batteries without increasing state costs.

Please pass this bill.

Batteries can often contain dangerous chemicals and elements that should be kept out of the standard waste stream where they could leech into our water supply. Beyond that, they often contain usable metals of value if they are properly recycled. For these reasons, please support this bill!

I am pleased to see this bill having been introduced. It is high time that a more encompassing system be put in place for the management of this particular type of waste. There are obviously a lot of details to be worked out, but this appears to be a good first effort.

I support this bill. Lithium batteries do not belong in the landfills, they cause dangerous fires and longterm hazards to people and the environment. I'm pleased to see this bill has bipartisan support to reduce this hazard. Also the support of organizations experienced in battery collection programs have provided useful testimony. I request the committee vote "ought to pass"

I have a box of batteries in my garage and would appreciate a place to responsibly dispose of them.

People are looking for leadership in the area of recycling and bills like HB 1602 provide that leadership. When we give them a viable path to recycle their used products and we educate them of its availability, they will respond. This is a WIN/WIN for everyone.

A statewide battery recycling program is an essential step to preserve New Hampshire’s pristine environment and to keep its residents safe from accidental fire. Batteries contain hazardous materials; disposing of them in the regular trash is not safe as they pose a fire hazard. When a trash collection truck compresses the materials it picks up, a fire could be the result. This poses a risk to operators and residents. There is not a cost to NH consumers when this bill passes.

This bipartisan bill is expected to save municipalities so much money.

The easier and more widespread the ability to recycle is, the more people will use it. This is very important for dangerous waste like batteries, especially when if recycled they can be reused and save material costs to environment and price.

I hate having nothing to do with these batteries but throw them away. Please support this bill!

Providing more options to dispose of batteries just makes sense.

This bill has broad stakeholder support, including NH businesses, major battery manufacturers, municipalities, environmental groups, fire safety officials and others. This bill is a priority for many because of the safety risks of improper lithium battery disposal. Proper handling and recycling of batteries supports the goals of our state Solid Waste Management Plan, keeps toxic substances out of the waste stream, protects wildlife and saves landfill space. Please support.

We need more solar and this bill would cause us to have less solar. Please vote against this bill.

This bill would transfer the costs of disposal from the municipalities and taxpayers to the producers. It is expected to save municipalities at least 4150,000 annually. No point-of-sale fees can be charged to consumers.

Dear Honorable Chairman and Committee Members, As an elected state representative, town of Campton Conservation Commissioner and appointed town representative on the Pemigewasset River Local Advisory Committee, I strongly support HB 1602. Proper handling and recycling of batteries supports the goals of our state Solid Waste Management Plan, keeps toxic substances out of the waste stream, and saves landfill space. Please vote OTP on HB 1602.

I support this - producers should have to take the responsibility to pay for recycling and not the municipalities.

Please pass this bill. Proper handling and recycling of batteries supports the goals of our state Solid Waste Management Plan, keeps toxic substances out of the waste stream and saves landfill space

As a retired biologist,I strongly support HB 1602.. It is. a common sense approach to dealing with the proper management of batteries that might otherwise enter the waste stream where they are a significant fire hazard as well as an environmental risk. The improper disposal of batteries has, and will only continue to rise, given their widespread use in a range of consumer products. This is a bill worthy of robust bipartisan support. Thank you for your consideration, John Walsh

This is like similar “Extended Producer Responsibility” bills this season which I agree with wholeheartedly, This bill would transfer costs of disposal from the municipalities and taxpayers to the producers. Expected to save municipalities at least $150,000 annually. No point-of-sale fees can be charged to consumers.

As a concerned citizen and registered (and regular) voter in New Hampshire, I am writing in support of the passage of HB 1602. I, along with many other residents in the state, are concerned about the importance of keeping toxic substances, such as improperly disposed of lithium batteries, out of the solid waste processing system, HB 1602 builds on recent successful legislation banning the disposal of lithium batteries in the state (effective on July 1). Please pass this bill! Thank you.

Proper handling and recycling of batteries supports the goals of our state Solid Waste Management Plan.