The California/Nevada/Arizona Automotive Wholesalers' Association (CAWA) announced that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has signed into law HB 2130 to address a discrepancy in battery core sales and deposits.
HB 2130, authored by Rep. Michele Reagan and sponsored on behalf of CAWA, will update the amount of the recycling deposit that retailers can charge consumers that purchase automotive batteries to an amount that is not greater than the recycling deposit charged by battery manufacturers.
Specifically, the bill increases from $5 to not more than $15, the recycling deposit that a retailer can charge a consumer for the purchase of a new battery. The deposit is returned to the consumer upon the return of the used battery core. In addition, the bill increases, from 30 days to 45 days, the amount of time a consumer has to return a used battery core for recycling, in order to have the recycling deposit returned in full.
"CAWA is elated with this victory on behalf of Arizona automotive parts stores and retailers. Last year we heard from our retailer members how important this issue was for them, and as a result, we acted quickly and proactively to address this monetary discrepancy related to the sale and deposit of automotive batteries." says Rodney K. Pierini, CAWA president & CEO. "CAWA applauds the bills author Rep. Reagan and Gov. Brewer for understanding why this bill was so important to both business and consumers in the state."
In 1990, legislation was enacted that prohibits the disposal of automotive batteries in landfills or through incineration. In addition, to encourage compliance, a refundable $5 deposit was established on the purchase of new automotive batteries.
For more information, visit www.cawa.org.
