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Tag Archives: EPR/Stewardship

Diversion Dynamics: Vape recycling needs policy to reach full charge

Published: October 23, 2025
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While legislators enact bans that aim to reduce vape waste, manufacturers are creating loopholes around the sale of disposable devices. | B.Robinson/Shutterstock

Editor’s Note: Diversion Dynamics is a monthly column exploring partnerships and policy that drive recycling.

I recently connected with Michael Duckworth, founder of Positive Energy Environmental Solutions, via video conference. Duckworth established the vape recycling company in 2023 after identifying a critical infrastructure gap for vape recycling in Nebraska and nationwide. Continue Reading

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E-Scrap EPR round-up part 3: Illinois and Oregon

Published: October 8, 2025
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Oregon and Illinois factor in coordination and collaboration, leveraging PROs to manage e-scrap. | Karen Poghosyan1 / Shutterstock

Editor’s note: With 25 states and the District of Columbia covering 66% of the US population under e-scrap laws, jurisdictions continue to address collection and funding challenges as programs and technology evolve.

This EPR Update series in E-Scrap News examines the latest policy updates from four states navigating these regulatory shifts. Read part one here and part two here. 

Battery recycling legislation is moving through several states, as evidenced at eSummit in Minneapolis in September. Continue Reading

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Fire Safety Week highlights battery risks, responses

Published: October 2, 2025
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During Fire Prevention Safety Week, recyclers, regulators and companies spotlight new suppression systems, state policy and public campaigns to cut fire risks. | Mikele Dray / Shutterstock

Fire Prevention Safety Week, running from October 5 to 11, is arriving as recycling operators, policymakers and industry suppliers intensify efforts to confront the rising threat of lithium-ion battery fires in the waste stream.

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E-Scrap EPR round-up part 2: California

Published: September 25, 2025
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As California moves to implement SB 1215, the definition of battery-embedded device and the associated fees with the program are at the forefront of discussions. | Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock

Editor’s note: With 25 states and the District of Columbia covering 66% of the US population under e-scrap laws, jurisdictions continue to address collection and funding challenges as programs and technology evolve.

This EPR Update series in E-Scrap News examines the latest policy updates from four states navigating these regulatory shifts. Read part one here.

The West Coast has become a hub of activity in the producer responsibility legislative landscape, with all eyes on California as it prepares to launch an extended fee system covering battery-embedded devices.

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Closed Loop enables eastern US electronics recovery corridor

Published: August 28, 2025
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In its most recent impact report, the private equity firm explored its progress in recovery and recycling of discarded electronics. | Itummy/Shutterstock

Private equity firm Closed Loop Partners recently released its 2024 impact report, which included a summary of its work in electronics recovery.
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Two prospective PROs bid for Oregon e-scrap program

Published: July 31, 2025
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Lifecycle Innovations, out of Wisconsin, and current Oregon PRO MRM laid out plans for the program, which now can accommodate more than one administrating organization. | PIYAWAT WONGOPASS/Shutterstock

This story has been corrected.

Two prospective producer responsibility organizations (PROs) have submitted bids to manage Oregon’s revamped E-Cycles program, which will launch Jan. 1, 2026. Continue Reading

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Wisconsin E-Cycle report reflects increasing access

Published: June 18, 2025
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Electronics recycling workers collect devices at an E-Cycle Wisconsin collection event in June 2022. | Photo by David Nevala / Courtesy of Wisconsin DNR

All 72 Wisconsin counties had at least one registered collection site or event for end-of-life electronics in 2024, according to the state’s most recent E-Cycle program report.   Continue Reading

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Policy round-up: Solar stewardship, state changes

Published: June 5, 2025
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Two bills are awaiting signatures, in Texas and Illinois, that would set up a solar panel and wind turbine stewardship requirement for facilities and alter an existing e-scrap recycling program. | GreenThumbShots/Shutterstock

Bills adding solar facility recycling requirements in Texas and changes to Illinois’ e-scrap recycling program are sitting on their respective governors’ desks.  Continue Reading

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Right to repair in WA and battery EPR in Nebraska

Published: May 22, 2025
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Electronics related bills both passed and died this month across the U.S. as legislative sessions wind down. | Vietnam Stock Photos/Shutterstock

Governors in Washington and Nebraska signed e-scrap bills into law recently, giving Washingtonians the right to repair their consumer electronics and Nebraskans an extended producer responsibility program for batteries.  Continue Reading

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Battery EPR passes in Colorado

Published: May 15, 2025
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SB 163, which would set up an extended producer responsibility program for batteries in Colorado, passed both chambers and is now on the governor’s desk. | Chepko-Danil-Vitalevich/Shutterstock

Colorado is adding extended producer responsibility for another material stream to its state laws, this time for batteries. 

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