Illinois is the 16th state to pass a law, the Portable and Medium-Format Battery Stewardship Act, which regulates the safe collection, recycling and management of batteries, including those in everyday electronics like phones and laptop computers.
The Act was signed into law by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Taking effect on January 1, 2026, this law will create a statewide program that requires battery producers to fund and manage the collection, transportation and recycling of portable primary and rechargeable batteries as well as medium format batteries that the Act defines as weighing between 4.4 and 25 pounds. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will oversee the program and ensure compliance with the law.
This is Illinois’ sixth extended producer responsibility (EPR) law. EPR actions are addressed in ECOS Resolution 12-5: Principles of Extended Producer Responsibility and the Definition of Product Stewardship.
The law requires companies that sell batteries or products with batteries to pay into a statewide battery stewardship organization to cover the costs of collecting and shipping batteries from local sites.
Published May 2026
