The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Consumer Electronics Battery Recycling, Reprocessing, and Battery Collection is a program through the Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The program is part of the BIL‘s investment in a clean energy economy.

Funding is available through this program to increase participation in consumer battery recycling projects. Awards are available in four topic areas with various funding amounts and matching requirements.

1. Expanding Consumer Participation in Consumer Electronics Battery Recycling Programs 
2. Improving the Economics of Recycling Consumer Electronics Batteries
3. State and Local Programs for Consumer Electronics Battery Collection, Recycling and Reprocessing
4. Retailer Programs for Consumer Electronics Battery Collection

Concept papers are required and due through the EERE Exchange by August 17, 2023 at 5:00 PM ET. Full applications are due by November 29, 2023 at 5:00 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

• Individuals
• State and local governments
• Tribal governments
• Nonprofit organizations
• For profit businesses
• Institutions of higher education
• Federal research agencies
• Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration federally funded research and development centers
• Non-Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration federally funded research and development centers

Objectives

The objectives of this program are:

1. Increase consumer participation in battery recycling programs
2. Make consumer battery recycling more economical and drive research into new ways to reuse and recycle them
3. Increase the number of consumer battery recycling programs, including collections site at retailers

Topic Areas

Expanding Consumer Participation in Consumer Electronics Battery Recycling Programs 

Recycling spent batteries is an important part of developing domestic sources of materials needed to make new batteries. A lack of awareness of battery recycling programs is a major barrier to reaching the goal of 90% recycling of consumer electronics batteries by 2030.

Projects under this topic area should develop strategies for increasing awareness through education.

DOE anticipates awarding 4-15 grants of $1.3 – 5 million under this topic area. Performance periods will be 24-36 months with no cost share requirement.

Improving the Economics of Recycling Consumer Electronics Batteries 

Battery recycling is not currently economical due to logistical and safety concerns. Developing cost effective methods would, however, create clean energy jobs and a domestic supply of materials.

Projects under this topic area may focus on improving methods at any step of the recycling process – collecting, transporting, storing, dismantling, and disposal.

DOE anticipates awarding 5-10 grants of $4 – 8 million under this topic area. Performance periods will be 24-36 months with a 20% cost share requirement.

State and Local Programs for Consumer Electronics Battery Collection, Recycling and Reprocessing

There is a lack of programs for collecting, recycling, and reprocessing batteries necessary to create a domestic source of battery materials. Projects under this topic area should support the establishment and sustainability of programs at the state and local level.

DOE anticipates awarding 20-30 grants of $500,000 – 10 million under this topic area. Performance periods will be 36-60 months with a 50% cost share requirement.

Retailer Programs for Consumer Electronics Battery Collection

Retailers can serve a function similar to state and local governments in the collection of spent batteries. Projects under this topic area should create relationships with retailers to collect, transport, sort, or store spent batteries.

DOE anticipates awarding 2-15 grants of $1 – 7.5 million under this topic area. Performance periods will be 36-60 months with a 50% cost share requirement.