Maine DEP Seeks Your Input: Participate in the Battery Management Plan Review Process.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Department) will be seeking public input to review the feasibility and viability of establishing an extended producer responsibility approach for all batteries not currently covered by the existing battery stewardship law. 

In addition to seeking written input, the Department will be hosting two stakeholder meetings to provide an opportunity to share comments and allow for discussion of those comments.  These meetings will be accessible either in person or remotely, ensuring all interested parties are able to participate.

The Department views this stakeholder process as an opportunity for open discussion and to solicit comments from residents, businesses, municipalities, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to update and support improvements to Maine’s battery management program.  Discussions will focus on strategies and actions for the Department to take to increase statewide battery recycling opportunities, reduce fires and other dangerous conditions stemming from improper battery end-of-life management, move towards achieving waste reduction goals, and harmonize with other states’ efforts in battery management.

Links to the program’s law can be found on the Department’s current battery stewardship program webpage. 

These stakeholder meetings will take place on August 12, 2025, 1 pm - 4 pm, and on September 4, 2025, 1 pm - 4 pm at the Department’s Ray Building at 28 Tyson Drive, Augusta, and virtually. The Department is preparing a background document to assist with the discussion, which will be posted on the Department’s webpage approximately two weeks prior to the meetings.

Register for the meeting: Register for the August 12^th meeting.

If you plan to attend in person, please RSVP by emailing [email protected]. A second notification with a registration link for the September 4^th meeting will be sent separately.

To receive notifications about the September 4^th meeting, including a registration link, to receive notifications regarding future updates to the Department’s battery management programs, or if you have other questions or comments, please email [email protected].