Starting from January 1st, consumers in California are now required to pay a 1.5% surcharge (up to $15) for products that contain built-in batteries, regardless of whether the batteries are rechargeable. This new law aims to reduce the risk of battery-related fires in waste and help cover recycling costs.
The “Electronic Waste Recycling Act” passed in 2003 in California mandated the collection of electronic waste fees for computer monitors and televisions. The new SB1215 law now extends to a wide range of everyday items containing built-in batteries, including smartphones, wireless Bluetooth earphones (AirPods), smartwatches, power tools, electric toys, electric toothbrushes, and more. For detailed information, please refer to the regulations.
The full title of the new law is the “Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003: covered battery-embedded products,” proposed by former State Senator Josh Newman and 12 other Democratic state legislators. It was signed by Governor Newsom in September 2022 and went into effect on January 1, 2026.
Newman was elected as a State Senator in November 2016 but was recalled in June 2018. He was re-elected in November 2020 but lost in the November 2024 election.
According to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) website, “electronic products containing batteries” refer to products covered by the program that include batteries that users cannot easily remove. However, certain medical devices, energy storage systems, electronic nicotine delivery systems, and electronic devices already included in recycling scope (such as video display devices) are not within the scope.
Recycling rates will continue to be adjusted. As of January 1, 2026, designated products under the law must display the manufacturer’s name or brand, battery chemical composition, and consumers are required to pay recycling fees. Starting from August 1, CalRecycle has the authority to adjust the recycling fee for designated battery-embedded products annually.
From July 1, 2028, CalRecycle can annually adjust the surcharge rates for regulated battery-embedded waste and establish different recycling rates based on the category of regulated battery-embedded products.
The new law also imposes regulations on manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers. Manufacturers can apply to relevant departments to ensure electronic devices do not become hazardous waste when discarded. If approved, they are exempt from paying recycling fees, and retailers selling these products will not be penalized for not collecting surcharges.
Retailers must separately indicate on sales receipts the applicable electronic waste recycling fee or battery waste recycling fee for consumers.
Starting from July 1, 2027, manufacturers selling products in California must submit reports to CalRecycle at least once a year, including estimates of electronic equipment sales, battery components, total amount of recycled materials from electronic devices, and provide consumers with information on how to return, recycle, and dispose of products through a toll-free number, website, device labeling, packaging information, or information provided at the point of sale.