(Madison) – Whether we know it or not, almost everyone is walking around with a potential fire hazard that can very quickly reach temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. If damaged, the same high-powered batteries that power our phones and other devices can become unstable and catch fire. On Tuesday, the Wisconsin State Assembly approved a bill by Representative Joel Kitchens to create a recycling program to dispose of these dangerous batteries.
“In 2025 alone, there were more than 8 reported fires in the state related to rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries, including a fire that resulted in the complete loss of a Brighton home,” Kitchens said, “These fires release toxic fumes and heavy metals, creating further risk to public health. Even when they don’t catch fire, improperly discarded batteries can leach harmful chemicals, such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium, into the soil and groundwater, contaminating the environment.”
Assembly Bill 911 establishes a battery stewardship program requiring battery makers to join or create battery stewardship organizations (BSOs), which are responsible for collecting and recycling certain batteries sold in Wisconsin. Beginning January 1, 2027 (or one year after the bill’s enactment), producers may not sell covered batteries or products containing them unless they are part of a DNR-approved stewardship plan. It also establishes a statewide ban on disposing of covered batteries in landfills, incinerators, or regular recycling streams beginning in 2028.
“Proper collection is critical for preventing dangerous, costly, and sometimes deadly incidents in communities across the state,” Kitchens said, “We have spent months working with stakeholders to iron out a bill that is not overly burdensome to businesses. The manufacturers we have worked with are supportive of the idea because they do not want to be held responsible for these tragedies.”
Representative Kitchens represents Door, Kewaunee, and parts of Brown County.
