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Utah Department of
Environmental Quality
The Lead Acid Battery Act, a cost-free program to the taxpayer that recycles lead acid batteries commonly found in vehicles, is set to expire July 1, 2006. Dennis Downs, director of the Utah Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste, has asked the 2006 Legislature to renew the program for 10 more years.
The act has been in effect since 1992, and it requires all retail outlets that sell lead acid batteries to accept the old batteries from customers if they buy new ones. The batteries are then taken out of state for recycling, primarily to lead smelters that reclaim the lead. State law also prohibits disposal of lead acid batteries in landfills. “There’s a financial incentive,” Downs said. “The batteries have value, so it’s in the interest of the battery retailers to take the old batteries.”
The act is among numerous ones to be included as part of an omnibus bill. It isn’t likely to face opposition since there is no financial burden to the taxpayer and because of the potential hazards lead and acid pose to the environment. In April, the Legislature’s Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Interim Committee recommended that the act be reauthorized by the full Legislature for 10 years.
No data is available to determine the actual volume of used batteries collected and recycled because retailers aren’t required to report that information to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. However, state officials still believe it has made a difference. “The Division has not received any complaints about illegal disposal of lead acid batteries,” said Downs. “Private auto parts and vehicle service retailers and wholesalers have supported the program.”