Battery Recycling Dave Duesterberg February 2, 2005

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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 20 th century and the trend continues into the 21 st 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 Source: BCI Recycling Rate Study July Lead-acid batteries Yard Trimmings Aluminum cans PaperTiresPlastic soft drink containers Glass containers % Recycled National Recycling Rate Study

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 Environmental Story Energy Management