Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Fees Guide
New Information — Effective January 1, 2026, a consumer must pay a covered battery-embedded (CBE) waste recycling fee upon the purchase of a new or refurbished CBE product in California. (Senate Bill 1215; Stats. 2022, ch.370)
Every retailer who sells or leases CBE products is required to register with us for a CBE waste recycling fee account, collect the fee from purchasers and pay the fee to us.
A CBE product is, generally, a product containing a battery from which the battery is not designed to be easily removed from the product with no more than commonly used household tools. CBE products do not include the following:
- Covered electronic device subject to the eWaste recycling fee
- Certain medical devices
- Certain energy storage systems
- Electronic nicotine delivery systems
By October 1, 2025, CalRecycle will adopt the CBE waste recycling fee rate that will take effect January 1, 2026. Each October 1st thereafter CalRecycle will determine the CBE waste recycling fee rate that will take effect January 1 of the following calendar year.
We will continue to update this guide and release a special notice as we receive more information regarding the CBE waste recycling fee rate, registration information and return filing requirements.
The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) administers two covered electronic waste recycling fee programs in cooperation with the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).
- Covered Electronic Waste Recycling (eWaste) Fee
- Covered Battery-Embedded (CBE) Waste Recycling Fee
Helping your business succeed is important to us. The fees you collect and pay to the state provide funding for programs for consumers to return, recycle, and ensure safe and environmentally sound disposal of covered electronic devices (CEDs) including certain video display devices and covered battery-embedded products.
This guide will help you better understand the covered electronic waste recycling fee, the covered battery-embedded waste recycling fee, and the obligations of CED retailers and consumers in California.
Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Fee Programs
Covered Electronic Waste Recycling (eWaste) Fee
The eWaste fee is imposed on the retail purchase or lease of certain new or refurbished video display devices that have been identified in regulations adopted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
Covered Battery-Embedded (CBE) Waste Recycling Fee
The CBE waste recycling fee is imposed on the retail purchase or lease of certain new or refurbished CBE products, as defined in Public Resources Code (PRC) section 42463(f).
A retailer of video display devices and CBE products must register with us, collect the relevant fees, file returns, and pay the fees to us. A consumer (customer) who purchases these products for personal or business use but does not pay the applicable fees at the time of purchase must register and pay the fees to us directly.
How the Revenue is Used
The fees were established to help pay for the safe collection and recycling of covered electronic waste including certain video display devices and CBE products that contain hazardous materials. For more information on the recycling of covered electronic products and the use of the fee revenue, please visit CalRecycle's website.
How to Use This Guide
This guide contains important information relevant to each covered electronic waste recycling program. Each section includes a summary of the application of the fee, and lists resources related to registration, applicable fee rates, return filing, and payments.
The Industry Topics section contains specific topics important to the covered electronic waste recycling fees.
The Resources section provides links to helpful information, including law and regulation information, publications, special notices, and information on how to contact us.
If You Need Help
If at any time you need assistance with topics included in this guide or have other related questions, please contact us by email or by calling our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711), and selecting the option for Special Taxes and Fees. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time), except state holidays. Additional contact information and hours of operation are available on our How to Contact Us webpage.
If you have suggestions for improving this guide, please contact us by email.