|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The United States government is responsible for environmental regulations. It has promised to take action on climate change. But lately, it has been going back on those commitments.
Some state governments are stepping up to fill in the gaps.
Requiring Manufacturers to Take Responsibility for the Waste the Create
Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, is one of many interlocking policies that are crucial for developing a robust circular economy, where waste is reduced and reused. Without EPR policies, taxpayers and governments are left to clean up waste. That waste is often hard to recycle or reuse.
But EPR policies make sure that companies that make things have to think about what happens to their products after they are used.
Communities on the frontlines of mining and mineral production benefit from good EPR policies and other policies that support a strong circular economy. Mining harms people and permanently damages the environment, including by contributing to greenhouse gas emissions that are warming the planet.
The easiest and best way to make mining less harmful is to do less of it. Recycling and reusing minerals that are already above the ground is part of that equation.
New Jersey Forges the Way for Electric Vehicle Recycling
In 2025, New Jersey became the first state in the country to pass an EPR law for electric vehicle batteries.
The batteries in electric vehicles slowly become less effective. After ten to fifteen years, they usually stop holding enough power to make a car work.
The New Jersey bill requires manufacturers to create management plans for electric vehicle batteries after they wear out. These batteries still have two-thirds of their original capacity. They can be used for other things, including stationary storage.
European Union Battery Recycling Policy Sets the Example
The governing body of the European Union has taken similar action. States can learn from the EU’s experience.
A few years ago, the European Commission passed sprawling battery regulations. The rules touched on many parts of the battery supply chain.
This includes EPR policies and recovery requirements for when batteries are recycled.
Recycling is the next step after reuse in a strong circular economy. Ideally, it should only happen once the batteries have been reused and only under the strictest environmental and labor laws.
New Colorado Law Sets the Standard for Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling
In June 2026, Colorado Governor Polis signed Senate Bill 26-003, End-of-Life Management of Electric Vehicle Batteries. Earthworks partners Western Resource Advocates and the Union of Concerned Scientists supported the law.
Dr. Jessica Dunn at the Union of Concerned Scientists said the bill “will set the standard for the rest of the country.”
It goes beyond what’s in New Jersey’s bill. SB26-003 requires recycling to recover a certain percentage of minerals. It requires battery-makers to report on how they’re recovering the minerals. It makes it easier to reuse batteries, too, by allowing auto mechanics, scrap yards, and other businesses to reuse or recycle batteries or have the automaker collect them free of charge.
Colorado’s bill is a victory for circular economy advocates. It’s also a victory for communities affected by mining or processing minerals for batteries.
States Can Lead the Way to Less Need for New Battery Minerals
National laws and regulations would be the best solution. Until those exist, other states should look to Colorado’s example.
States where electric vehicles are popular or becoming popular can have the most impact. But every state that takes action can move us forward.