Today, in conjunction with America Recycles Day, BCI released their new National Recycling Rate Study which shows that lead batteries have a recycling rate of 99.3 percent. The near perfect rate of recycling is attributed to industry investment in a state-of-the-art closed-loop collection and recycling system that keeps 1.7 million tons of batteries out of landfills annually.
The new study also confirms lead batteries as the most recycled consumer product in the country and speaks to the commitment of the lead battery industry to provide safe, sustainable energy storage. As the most accessible, highly-sustainable battery technology, lead batteries' innovative applications also reduce CO2 emissions in vehicles through start-stop battery technology, help power hybrid and electric vehicles, and enable smart grid technology that improves the reliability of wind and solar farms.
"Our goal is to recycle and reuse as many batteries as possible as part of our commitment to provide an environmentally-friendly source of energy storage," said Mark Thorsby, executive vice president of BCI. "On average, a new lead battery is comprised of more than 80 percent recycled lead battery material. Every component of the battery, from lead and plastic to sulfuric acid, is recyclable which reduces waste, ensures that they are properly disposed of and decreases the need for virgin ore mining."
The state-of-the-art closed-loop process that ensures lead batteries' high rate of recycling is recognized by the World Economic Forum and MIT's Center for Transportation and Logistics as the world's most successful example of a circular economy-featuring the design, production, transportation, recycling and recovery of vehicle batteries.
"We are proud of our consistent recycling record and the fact that lead batteries provide essential energy storage to power millions of cars, buses, airplanes, trains and logistic networks as well as back-up recovery systems that protect life, investments and data in emergency situations," added Thorsby.