The Industry’s Strong Circular Economy Keeps 160 Million Batteries from Landfills Annually; Creates Near-Zero Waste Model of Sustainability
CHICAGO – July 12, 2023 – Battery Council International (BCI), the leading trade association representing the global battery manufacturing and recycling industry, is thrilled to announce that the U.S. lead battery industry continues its outstanding recycling rate of 99% — the highest of any consumer product in the U.S. That’s according to the BCI National Recycling Rate Study commissioned by BCI and prepared by Vault Consulting. BCI released the study, which is updated periodically, on July 12.
Roger Miksad, BCI president and executive director, said the achievement underscores BCI members’ unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and highlights the battery industry’s enduring foothold in advancing responsible recycling practices.
“I’m honored to lead Battery Council International at this pivotal moment for the battery manufacturing and recycling industry. Achieving a sustained recycling rate of 99% for lead batteries over the past decade proves our members’ dedication to sustainable manufacturing practices,” Miksad said. “Together, we’ll continue to drive innovation, advance recycling technologies, and promote responsible battery lifecycle management.”
Miksad emphasized that lead batteries are an important part of the nation’s transition to clean energy storage. Recycling raw materials instead of relying on newly mined minerals significantly reduces the manufacturing footprint for batteries. Lead batteries are critical to our low carbon future by being a critical component in many sustainable applications.
Study Methodology
The National Recycling Rate Study provides updates to aggregated data for the five-year reporting period, 2017-2021. The lead battery recycling rate for that period is derived by dividing the total pounds of lead batteries recycled by the total pounds of lead available for recycling in the U.S. To account for significant market disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study averaged the BCI Recycling Rate Studies spanning the decade of 2011-2021 to derive the sustained recycling rate of 99%.
Overall, the study confirms the exceptional achievements of the lead battery industry in perfecting recycling processes and a circular economy for lead batteries.
“The lead battery industry is minimizing the environmental impact of battery disposal with a highly successful circular ‘manufacture-use-reuse’ model. It has become the blueprint for newer battery chemistries, as well as other industries,” Miksad added.
Facts about the Lead Battery Industry’s Circular Economy
Lead batteries are designed to be recycled. A lead battery’s three main components (lead, plastic, acid) are 100% recyclable. This creates the raw materials needed for new lead batteries, and the typical new lead battery is formed of at least 80% recycled material. The lead from lead batteries can be infinitely recycled with no loss of performance. In fact, U.S. lead battery manufacturers source approximately 83% of the needed lead from North American recycling facilities. The plastic casings are also recycled.
Lead batteries have an established, domestic infrastructure. There is a vast network of existing manufacturing, collection and recycling facilities, including more than 300,000 retail distribution and collection sites for used lead batteries. By promoting collaboration among stakeholders, BCI aims to develop robust recycling systems that support a circular economy and help the responsible management of battery waste.
Ongoing research and development efforts. In addition to recycling, BCI and its members are actively engaged in making batteries more recyclable and sustainable. This integrated approach underscores BCI’s commitment to advancing the industry’s environmental performance and meeting regulatory needs worldwide.
Miksad said BCI remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a more sustainable and secure energy storage future.
“By working closely with industry partners, policymakers, and the public, BCI is working hard to meet our energy storage needs now and well into the electrified future.”
About Battery Council International
Battery Council International (BCI) will soon celebrate its 100-year anniversary as the leading trade association of the North American battery industry representing more than 125 member companies. Formed in 1924, BCI joins together battery manufacturers and recyclers, marketers and retailers, suppliers of raw materials and equipment, and battery distributors from across North America and around the world. BCI members are committed to responsible manufacturing and recycling processes and serve as a unified voice for environmental, health, and safety stewardship. The organization continues to unite members within the lead industry to successfully communicate and protect, through education, science, and government efforts, the most successful circular economy on the planet. With 99% of used lead batteries collected and recycled in the U.S. and the typical new lead battery containing 80% or more of recycled content, BCI supports the path toward similar sustainability goals for all other battery chemistries.
