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Profiles in Garbage: Lead-Acid Batteries
2 Min Read
A battery is a device in which the energy of a chemical reaction can be converted into electricity. Small, sealed button and six-volt batteries are used for consumer products; “starting batteries” deliver a short burst of high power to start engines; “deep cycle batteries” deliver a low, steady level of power for electrical accessories such as trolling motors on boats; and large industrial batteries have thicker plates and can supply low steady power for years. This profile is limited to lead acid batteries used by motor vehicles.
A lead-acid battery consists of a polypropylene casing; lead terminals and positive and negative internal plates; lead oxide; electrolyte, a dilute solution of sulfuric acid and water and plastic separators which are made of a porous synthetic material. More than 80 percent of the lead produced in America is used in lead-acid batteries.
Lead-acid batteries have the highest recycling rate of any product sold in the United States. This is because of the value of the lead and plastic components of the used battery, the ease of returning a used battery when purchasing a new battery, and laws in 39 states requiring the retailer take back the used battery when a new battery is purchased.
Lead-Acid Battery MSW Facts
(* = U.S. EPA estimates for 2012)
Generated
2.95 million tons, or 1.2 percent.*
18.79 pounds per person.*
The average life of a car battery is 4 years.
The average life of a truck battery is 3 years.
The amount of lead in a car battery is 21.7 pounds.
Recycled
2.83 million tons or 95.9 percent.*
More than 98 percent of battery lead is recycled according to industry data.
39 states require retailers to collect old lead-acid batteries from customers who buy new batteries. Nine of these states also have battery deposit laws.
Recycled Content
A “typical” battery has 60 to 80 percent recycled lead and plastic.
Composted
Should never be placed in a composting pile.
Burned or Landfilled
120,000 tons or 0.1 percent of discarded MSW by weight.*
Should not be incinerated.
43 states ban disposal.
Landfill Volume
Negligible.
Density
Average car battery weighs 39 pounds.
Average truck battery weighs 53 pounds.
Average motorcycle battery weighs 9.5 pounds.
Source Reduction
In ten years, car battery cycles have increased from 2500 to 6000.
Industrial batteries can last 10 to 20 years.
Markets
Polypropylene casings processed back into new battery casings.
Lead is recycled into lead plates and other battery parts.
Battery acid is either neutralized, treated and discharged into sewers or processed into sodium sulfate, a powder used in laundry detergent, glass and textile manufacturing.
Sources
Biocycle “Garbage in America”, October 2010
Measurement Standards and Reporting Guidelines, National Recycling Coalition
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