Director's Rule

Title

Ban on Disposal of Electronics and Batteries

Number

SW-404

Rev. no.

0

Responsibility

Solid Waste

Supersedes

DR-01-03

Pages

2

General Manager/CEO Signature

/s/ Andrew Lee

Approval Date

December 10, 2023

Effective Date

January 1, 2024

A. PURPOSE

Under Seattle Municipal Code (SMC 21.36.026, 21.36.029, and 3.32.020), the General Manager/CEO of Seattle Public Utilities may, by rule prohibit from disposal materials that are hazardous or that cannot be handled safely through the municipal solid waste collection system.

Under this authority, this rule designates certain electronic products and batteries found to be hazardous or unsafe to handle and prohibits them from disposal into the City's municipal solid waste system.

This rule incorporates and supersedes DR-01-03, which prohibited the disposal of cathode ray tubes into the City's municipal solid waste system.

B. BACKGROUND

Electronic products typically contain heavy metals and other hazardous substances that can pose risks to human health and the environment if disposed in landfills. For this reason, many electronic products are designated as dangerous waste under Washington state's Dangerous Waste Regulations (WAC 173-303) and prohibited from disposal as municipal solid waste.

Batteries also pose risks to human health and the environment when disposed through the municipal solid waste collection system. Mercury, lead, cadmium, lithium, and other metals (or even acid) can leak from batteries. Alkaline batteries also contain acids that corrode metals and can damage the environment. Certain types of batteries also have the potential to cause fires, which pose risks to the safety of solid waste collection staff, vehicles, and facilities.

Batteries are classified as dangerous waste unless they are managed as universal waste under Washington state regulations (WAC 173-303-573), which establish rules for recycling and safe end-of-life management of batteries.

Safe alternatives to disposal of electronic products and batteries are widely available in Seattle. Under the state's Electronic Product Recycling Law (RCW 70A.500), a producer-funded recycling programE-Cycle WAprovides free recycling of electronic products covered under the law for residents and small businesses through a statewide network of collection sites. Batteries are accepted for recycling from Seattle residents and businesses at no cost at both of Seattle's solid waste transfer stations and household hazardous waste management facilities, and additional recycling opportunities are available at locations throughout the city. Both electronic products and batteries are included in special item pick-up services offered to Seattle Public Utilities solid waste customers.

C. RULE

The following materials are prohibited from disposal in municipal solid waste, including any commercial or residential garbage can, container or receptacle, or at any transfer station:

Cathode ray tubes.

Electronic products covered by the Washington Electronics Recycling Law (RCW 70A.500).

Batteries, as defined under the state's Dangerous Waste Regulations (WAC 173-303-040). Examples of batteries include but are not limited to:

o Miniature button cell batteries

o Zinc air, alkaline, and silver oxide batteries

o Lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and other rechargeable batteries

This prohibition does not apply to facilities or containers where these materials are collected for recycling.

D. AUTHORITY/REFERENCES

SMC 21.36.026, Household Hazardous Wastes

SMC 21.36.029(B), Special Category Wastes

SMC 3.32.020, Adoption of Rules

RCW 70A.500, Electronic Product Recycling

WAC 173.303, Dangerous Waste Regulations