(IDAHO FALLS, Idaho) — The Idaho National Laboratory is seeking qualified electronics recycling organizations to participate in a study that examines strategies for collecting battery-containing electronic devices. The study compares electronics recycling in states with and without electronics recycling laws or regulations. The study is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation’s Transportation Technologies Office.
The research is the second phase of an INL-led electronics recycling project. During the first two years of the project, teams organized collection events in New York and Idaho. Teams compared results in New York, where recycling regulations exist, with Idaho, where there are no such regulations. Researchers applied successful collection methods used in New York to events in southeastern Idaho and observed comparable results across 20 Idaho collection events.
Through September 2026, approximately 850 households participated in Idaho collection events, contributing more than 53,700 pounds of electronics for recycling. More than 350 participants also completed surveys, providing researchers with information about barriers to electronics recycling and ways to improve future collection efforts.
After their success in Idaho, INL researchers now want to determine whether this collection model can produce comparable results in other states without e-waste regulations. They are seeking qualified organizations in 25 eligible states to help organize six to nine additional collection events. Each participating organization would conduct at least two to three events before September 2027.
Participating organizations must be able to organize events at new collection locations, promote them through multiple communication channels and provide data on participation and the types and quantities of electronics collected. Applicants should also have access to existing residential e-waste collection events and identify qualified organizations that will transport, receive, recycle or otherwise process collected electronics.
The study places particular emphasis on battery-containing electronics. End-of-life devices can contain lithium-ion batteries and recoverable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and other critical materials. The research is intended to raise awareness and improve e-waste collection rates, aimed to secure critical materials in the supply chain.
Interested organizations should submit an expression of interest here, describing their operations, service area, existing collection options, proposed collection plan, communication strategies, community needs and downstream recycling arrangements. Relevant recycler or processor certifications, such as R2 or e-Stewards, should also be identified.
Expressions of interest are due Nov. 13, 2026, and any questions can be submitted to [email protected]. Only select respondents will be invited to participate in the anticipated request for proposals.
NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Liem Wilson, 541-530-4467, [email protected]
Sarah Neumann, 208-520-1651, [email protected]
