Brief

Councilmember Heather Hutt introduced a motion to establish a citywide disposal and recycling program for lithium-ion batteries and vape pens, addressing hazards to sanitation workers and fire risk. The motion directs city departments to develop collection infrastructure and public education. The Energy and Environment Committee approved it in April 2026, and Council adopted the measure 11-0-4 on May 6, 2026. The file is now closed.

Full summary

This motion, introduced by Councilmember Heather Hutt and seconded by Adrin Nazarian, directs the Bureau of Sanitation to assess and expand Los Angeles's lithium-ion battery and vape pen disposal and recycling program. The driving concern is worker safety: improperly discarded batteries and vape pen cartridges can trigger chemical reactions when compressed inside collection vehicles, a phenomenon known as thermal runaway, which can cause fires and explosions. The motion frames the problem as both an occupational hazard for sanitation workers and a broader public safety risk. The motion contains two specific directives to the Bureau of Sanitation. First, the Bureau must report on the current status of the disposal and recycling program, including existing compliance policies and the number of trash fire incidents attributable to improper battery and vape pen disposal. Second, the Bureau must report on what an expanded citywide public awareness campaign would look like, including proper disposal protocols, a breakdown of accessible drop-off locations by Council District, and a budget estimate for implementing and growing the program. The motion also asks the Bureau to recommend any updates to city ordinances that would improve compliance or program effectiveness. The file was referred to the Energy and Environment Committee upon introduction in February 2026. The Westside Neighborhood Council submitted a supportive community impact statement in March. The Committee approved the motion unanimously at its April 21 meeting, with four members voting yes and one absent. The full Council adopted the measure on May 6, 2026, by an 11-0-4 vote. The file closed on May 8, 2026. No fiscal analysis was completed before adoption, meaning cost estimates for program expansion remain to be determined in the Bureau of Sanitation's forthcoming report.

Activity (7)

• 2026-05-08 Council action final.
• 2026-05-06 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
• 2026-05-01 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on May 6, 2026.
• 2026-04-21 Energy and Environment Committee approved item(s) .
• 2026-04-17 Energy and Environment Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on April 21, 2026.
• 2026-03-12 Community Impact Statement submitted by Westside Neighborhood Council.
• 2026-02-20 Motion referred to Energy and Environment Committee.

Documents (6)

• 2026-05-08 Council Action · council_action
• 2026-04-21 Report from Energy and Environment Committee · report
• 2026-04-21 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2026-03-12 Community Impact Statement submitted by Westside Neighborhood Council · cis
• 2026-02-23 Communication(s) from Public · communication
• 2026-02-20 Motion · motion