Colorado is implementing a new law, SB26-003, to address the growing challenge of electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling. The legislation, signed in June, shifts the responsibility for collecting and processing used EV batteries from scrapyards and other entities to automakers. Starting in July 2029, landfills will be prohibited from accepting these batteries.

This proactive approach aims to create a clear framework for managing end-of-life EV batteries, which are bulky, heavy, and contain valuable minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt. Automakers will be required to establish a statewide system for battery collection and management, ensuring that batteries do not become a burden for smaller businesses. This "producer responsibility" model has garnered support from environmental groups, auto recyclers, and even automakers.

Colorado's law also sets specific targets for mineral recovery. By 2031, recyclers must recover 90% of cobalt and nickel, and 50% of lithium from EV batteries. These targets will increase by 2035 to 80% for lithium. This initiative is seen as a crucial step towards reducing the carbon footprint associated with battery production and keeping valuable materials in circulation, lessening the need for new mining.