(a)
The board may conduct a study on the disposal and recyclability of household batteries, taking into account any studies completed or underway elsewhere, including, but not limited to, any studies by the Environmental Protection Agency. The board may participate in the study.
(b)
The study may include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1)
The effect of used household batteries on solid waste landfills and transformation facilities, including any threats to human health or environment.
(2)
The recyclability of used household batteries, including, but not limited to, the following topics:
(A)
Applicable recycling technologies and their effectiveness.
(B)
Collection systems.
(C)
Possible adverse effects on human health or the environment resulting from exposure to household batteries at all stages of the recycling process.
(D)
Costs and revenues associated with recycling, including avoided disposal costs.
(E)
Development of markets for products derived from recycled household batteries.
(c)
For the purposes of this section, “household batteries” means batteries made of mercury, alkaline, carbon-zinc, nickel-cadmium, and other batteries typically generated as household waste, including, but not limited to, batteries used in hearing aids, cameras, watches, computers, calculators, flashlights, lanterns, standby and emergency lighting, portable radio and television sets, meters, toys, and clocks, but excluding lead-acid batteries as defined in Section 42440.