Summary as Introduced
Creates the Household Hazardous Waste Stewardship Act. Requires manufacturers, beginning January 1, 2027, to implement a stewardship program for covered products. Details manufacturer obligations under the stewardship program, including in the context of a stewardship organization comprised of manufacturers. Requires registration by April 1, 2026, and annually, for each manufacturer who sells covered products in the State and each stewardship organization. Details the roles of retailers and collections sites. Outlines stewardship plan components. Provides requirements for the Environmental Protection Agency for stewardship plan approval. Details requirements for a stewardship organization implementing a stewardship plan, as well as other statewide collection requirements. Details reporting requirements. Requires a stewardship organization to pay to the Agency an annual fee of $200,000, split if there is more than one stewardship organization. Provides for responsibilities for the Agency. Provides for immunity from antitrust laws. Provides for rulemaking authority for the Agency. Provides for civil and criminal penalties. Allows collection of covered products by a premium collection service. Makes findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately.
Staff Analysis
HB 1893 aims to reduce environmental and public health risks by requiring manufacturers to manage the lifecycle of hazardous household products. The legislation shifts responsibility from local governments to producers through a statewide stewardship program.
Key Provisions
Stewardship Program Requirement
Manufacturers must establish or participate in a stewardship program for the collection, transportation, and proper disposal of hazardous products beginning January 1, 2027.
By requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for the collection and proper disposal of household hazardous waste (like paints, cleaners, solvents, batteries, etc.), the bill helps divert these materials away from landfills, where they can pose serious environmental and safety risks.
Positive Impacts on Landfills
Reduced Contamination: Hazardous substances can leach into soil and groundwater when disposed of improperly. This bill ensures safer handling and disposal, reducing contamination in and around landfill sites.
Waste Stream Diversion: By creating alternative collection and recycling programs, the bill keeps toxic or chemically active products out of municipal waste streams and ultimately out of landfills.
Extended Landfill Lifespan: Removing bulky or difficult-to-manage waste types helps optimize landfill capacity, potentially extending the useful life of existing sites.
Incentivized Product Redesign: With manufacturers bearing end-of-life costs, there may be motivation to design less toxic, more recyclable products, further reducing long-term landfill impacts.
Covered Products
Includes paints, pesticides, cleaners, solvents, automotive fluids, batteries, and similar household chemicals.
Manufacturer Obligations
• Submit detailed stewardship plans to the Illinois EPA
• Provide statewide collection access, including in rural and underserved areas
• Fund the entire program—no cost to local governments
• Conduct public education and outreach
• Submit annual reports on performance, collection data, and accessibility
State Oversight and Compliance
• Illinois EPA will review and approve plans
• Non-compliance may result in enforcement actions or penalties
• Data reporting is required to track success and improve outcomes
The bill intends to implement extended producer responsibility by holding manufacturers accountable for their products’ environmental impact. It aims to improve public access to safe disposal options, reduce the volume of hazardous waste entering landfills and ecosystems, and encourage the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly product designs.