Manufacturers produce more than 99 million new lead-acid car batteries each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. These batteries help power cars, boats and motorcycles using wet-cell technology. Once they reach the end of their useful life, however, lead-acid batteries pose a danger to humans, animals and the environment if they are disposed of incorrectly. Fortunately, these batteries can easily be recycled to conserve resources and reduce their environmental impact.
Problems
According to Road and Travel, each car battery contains about 21 lbs. of lead and a gallon of sulfuric acid. Most also contain other heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and nickel, according to the EPA. When these batteries are not recycled, they often end up in landfills, where lead and acid materials eventually seep out of the batteries and into nearby soil. This taints not only the soil but also any nearby water supplies or groundwater reservoirs.
Benefits
Car battery recycling keeps these batteries and their dangerous contents out of landfills. This not only helps to reduce the need for new landfills but also eliminates the risk of air and water pollution from heavy metals and sulfuric acid. Cleaner air and water allow people to stay healthier and also protect animals and marine life. Recycling also conserves resources, reducing the need to extract raw materials from the earth. This leaves these resources intact for future generations and minimizes destruction of ecosystems by reducing mining, deforestation and other destructive practices.
Laws
According to the EPA, most states have some type of law in place requiring battery retailers and distributors to accept these units for recycling. Retailers like auto repair shops and car dealerships must accept batteries from customers, and often from non-customers as well. According to Road and Travel, 36 states have mandatory recycling laws for batteries. This means that you can't purchase a new battery in these states without recycling your old one at the same time. Those who don't have a battery to recycle at the time of purchase must pay a fee.
Process
Once car batteries have been received at recycling centers, the batteries are crushed into small pieces, then separated by material. Sulfuric acid is collected and stored for reuse or sale to other manufacturers. The lead is purified, then used to make new batteries. Plastic components are melted down for use in battery manufacturing or are sold to other industries. According to the EPA, the average car battery contains 60 to 80 percent recycled lead and plastic.
Where
Because car batteries pose such an environmental hazard, most areas make it easy for consumers to recycle. Organizations such as AAA host an annual battery collection, where consumers across the country can turn in batteries at little to no cost. Most auto retailers, even those not covered by state recycling laws, will accept batteries, though some may charge a fee. According to Environment, Health and Safety Online, some scrap metal dealers will pay you for these batteries, because they can then sell the lead and other metal components for profit. Finally, many states have hazardous waste collection sites for residents to dispose of batteries and other potentially dangerous materials.
Because of the wide availability of recycling resources, the EPA estimates that 90 percent of all car batteries in the U.S. are recycled each year.
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