FRANKFORT (Kentucky Today) – State Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, has filed legislation to keep dangerous batteries out of household trash, improving waste management practices and reducing the risk of fires at landfills and recycling facilities across Kentucky.
The bill addresses a growing problem across the state from batteries, especially rechargeable batteries, being thrown into regular trash or recycling bins. When these batteries are crushed or damaged during collection and processing, they can ignite and create serious fire hazards for waste workers, damage equipment and threaten nearby communities.
“This is about common sense and public safety,” Elkins said. “Batteries don’t belong in the trash. Too often, they’re causing fires at landfills and recycling centers. This bill gives Kentucky a clear, practical way to handle batteries more safely and responsibly.”
Senate Bill 49 would create a Covered Battery Stewardship Program within the Energy and Environment Cabinet to help educate the public and coordinate safe, responsible battery collection and recycling. It makes clear that certain batteries cannot be placed in curbside trash, commercial containers or roll-off dumpsters used for solid waste or recycling. It would encourage voluntary, industry-led take-back programs to ensure batteries are handled properly at the end of their life.
The measure also directs the Cabinet to work closely with local governments, waste districts, recyclers, retailers and manufacturers to establish safe collection sites, improve consumer awareness and reduce damage to solid-waste equipment and facilities. Importantly, the program is designed to operate without adding new fees at the point of sale for consumers.
“As batteries become part of more everyday products, we have to be smarter about how we manage them when they wear out,” Elkins said. “This is a practical step to protect workers, prevent fires and keep our communities safe.”
The bill has not yet been assigned to the committee that will take it up for consideration.
