(a) (1) On and after July 1, 2006, every retailer shall have in place a system for the acceptance and collection of used rechargeable batteries for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal.
(2) A retailer is not subject to the requirements of this chapter for the sale of rechargeable batteries that are contained in or packaged with a battery-operated device.
(b) A system for the acceptance and collection of used rechargeable batteries for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal shall, at a minimum, include all of the following elements:
(1) (A) The take-back at no cost to the consumer of a used rechargeable battery, the type or brand of which the retailer sold or previously sold.
(B) A retailer’s no-cost take-back obligation may be limited to a quantity equal to the number sold at the time of the take-back or previously sold to the consumer.
(2) If the retailer sells a rechargeable battery through a catalog order, telephone order, or other method that does not involve in-store sales, the retailer shall be deemed in compliance with this article if the retailer provides a reasonable notice either at the time of purchase or delivery to the consumer of an opportunity to return used rechargeable batteries at no cost for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal.
(A) The opportunity to return the rechargeable batteries shall be either through the retailer’s take-back program established pursuant to paragraph (1) or through participation with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation or similar take-back and recycling program.
(B) The notice shall include informational materials, including, but not limited to, Internet Web site links or a telephone number, placed on the invoice or purchase order, or packaged with the battery, that provide consumers access to obtain more information about the opportunities and locations for no-cost battery recycling.
(3) Making information available to consumers about rechargeable battery recycling opportunities provided by the retailer and encouraging consumers to utilize those opportunities. This information may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
(A) Signage that is prominently displayed and easily visible to the consumer.
(B) Written materials provided to the consumer at the time of purchase or delivery, or both.
(C) Reference to the rechargeable batteries recycling opportunity in retailer advertising or other promotional materials, or both.
(D) Direct communications with the consumer at the time of purchase.
(c) An individual retailer location that is actively participating in the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation’s or similar battery take-back and recycling program, and has implemented one or more of the public education components described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) shall be deemed in compliance with this article.
(d) If a retailer is participating in an existing battery recycling system that includes rechargeable batteries, in addition to any other type of batteries, and the system otherwise complies with the requirements of this article, the retailer may continue to participate in that existing system and is not required to implement or participate in a system that only includes rechargeable batteries.
(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 572, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)