California battery recycling act passes legislature

The California Lead Acid Battery Recycling Act (AB 2153 - C. Garcia) passed both houses of the California legislature last week.  The bill is now with Governor Brown, who has until September 30 to take action.
 
AB 2153 represents a collaborative effort to codify an extremely effective recycling program for lead acid batteries and also enact a method to fund the clean-up of the communities around a former lead acid battery recycling facility in the Los Angeles area, which is in Assemblymember Garcia’s district.
 
CAWA, along with the Auto Care Association, Battery Council International, Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE) and Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) joined efforts to ensure the legislation addressed the lead contamination problem while not disrupting the current existing successful battery recycling system or imposing fees on the retail industry.
 
“The final bill that is being considered by the Governor represents a working compromise which addresses the environmental issues of concern as well protect the current lead acid battery recycling system between retailers and consumers, which boast over 98% success rate”, stated Rodney K. Pierini, CAWA President & CEO.

CAWA is a regional automotive aftermarket trade association, which represents auto parts jobbers, warehouse distributors, retailers, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives and program groups. The Association provides education, legislative, regulatory and business support to the industry and its membership. It is one of the largest trade associations of its kind in the United States and recognized as a leader in the automotive aftermarket industry.
 
For more information about AB2153 visit www.cawa.org or contact Legislative Advocate Gary Conover at [email protected] or 916.233.9655.