Battery Recycling
Dave Duesterberg
February 2, 2005
See http://www.batterycouncil.org/recycling.html
Environmental Story
Energy Management
Automotive Lead-acid batteries are the nations
most recycled consumer product
Lead-acid battery recycling in the U.S. was one of the most
significant environmental success stories of the 20th century and
the trend continues into the 21st century.
In a continuous cycle, the battery industry reclaims and reuses
lead and plastic, keeping these materials out of the waste stream.
The high recycling rate for battery lead is the result of a
successful collaboration among members of the battery
industry, retailers and consumers.
Environmental Story
Energy Management
Thirty-seven states in the U.S. require retailers
to collect used lead-acid batteries from
customers who buy new batteries.
Battery Council International developed model battery recycling
legislation at both the state and federal levels in the U.S., as a
way to efficiently recover valuable resources and keep recyclable
materials out of the waste stream. The model has been adopted
by legislatures in 37 states across the country.
The BCI battery recycling model prohibits lead-acid batteries from
being incinerated or dumped in landfills, and discourages
indiscriminate disposal of spent lead-acid batteries. It includes a
mandatory take-back system imposed at the point of purchase,
requiring consumers either to turn in a spent battery at the
purchase of a new battery or pay a fee in lieu of the trade-in.
Blue:
Adopted BCI Model
Yellow: Adopted BCI Model and Mandate Returnable Deposit
Source: BCI website
Environmental Story
Energy Management
Lead-acid batteries are the nation’s most highly recycled consumer product
% Recycled
100
National Recycling Rate Study
97.1
80
60
56.5
49.0
45.4
40
38.6
35.6
21.2
20
0
Lead-acid
Yard
Aluminum
batteries Trimmings
cans
Paper
Tires
Plastic soft
Glass
drink
containers
containers
Source: BCI Recycling Rate Study July 2003
Environmental Story
Energy Management
• Collection
– Retail points of sale collect old batteries
– Trailers that deliver new batteries pick up used
– Used batteries are delivered to permitted recycling
centers
• Tear Down
– Broken down by a hammer mill
– Pieces are melted in a furnace, and materials are
separated
Environmental Story
Energy Management
• Plastics Recovery
– Pieces are washed and re-pelletized by plastics
recyclers, and sold back to battery manufacturers for
use on cases
• Lead Recovery
– Lead is melted, dross is removed, and ingots are
resold to battery manufacurers
• Sulfuric Acid
– Neutralized, then water is treated and released
– Or, converted into sodium sulfate and used in
household detergent