Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency Awarded Up to $4 Million for Battery Recycling Project 

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA) has been selected to receive up to $4 million in federal funds to construct a new battery recycling and collection hub within its future customer convenience center.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC), is partnering with states and local governments to expand battery recycling and make it more accessible for consumers, reducing waste and improving the nation’s battery recycling landscape.

The DOE recently announced the selection of seven projects, including DMASWA’s, for negotiation of awards for a total of $11.5 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to support battery recycling programs at the state and local government level.

After the award has been negotiated, the DMASWA will use the funds to construct a new battery recycling and collection hub within its future customer convenience center at the Dubuque Metro Landfill, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2025. This facility will dedicate up to 25% of its space to create a centralized drop-off location for the collection and processing of spent batteries, which will then be shipped to specialized facilities for metal extraction and recycling into new batteries.

Currently, battery collection at DMASWA is limited by aging infrastructure that requires residents to schedule appointments and package batteries individually. The new facility will streamline the process by allowing drop-offs during all operational hours without the need for pre-packaging, enhancing convenience and reducing packaging waste. The project will also maintain remote collection points to ensure accessibility for rural and underrepresented populations.

“Fires from improperly disposed of batteries have caused severe damage to collections vehicles and solid waste and recycling facilities. Proper collection and recycling of spent batteries is a proven, sustainable way to source materials for new batteries and reduce fire risks. The goal of our project is to boost battery recycling rates in the region by 30% over three years and reduce the environmental and fire risks associated with improper battery disposal,” said DMASWA Administrator Kenneth Miller. “We’re grateful to be selected for this program and look forward to working with the DOE to implement our plan.”

Miller said the positive impacts of this project are multifaceted, including mitigating fire risks, the significant reduction of hazardous waste being deposited in the landfill, which in turn leads to decreased levels of air and water pollution. By preventing toxic substances from entering the environment, the project also facilitates resource recovery, allowing valuable materials to be reclaimed and reused rather than discarded. Additionally, these efforts contribute to the minimization of soil contamination, safeguarding the health of local ecosystems and communities by preventing harmful chemicals from leaching into the ground and waterways.

Additional background information:  

• https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-nearly-71-million-continue-strengthening-americas 
• https://www.energy.gov/mesc/state-and-local-government-battery-recycling-selections 
• https://www.energy.gov/mesc/battery-and-critical-mineral-recycling 

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MEDIA CONTACT
Kenneth Miller, Solid Waste Agency Administrator
KMiller@cityofdubuque.org, 563.589.4354