RECYCLING LEAD ACID BATTERIES
Revision Date: 11/01
Process Code: Navy/Marines: SR-02-02; Air Force: AD07; Army: VHM
Usage: Navy: High; Marines: High; Army: High; Air Force: High
Compliance Impact: Low
Alternative for: Hazardous Waste Disposal
Applicable EPCRA Targeted Constituents:
Lead (CAS: 7439-92-1), Sulfuric Acid (CAS: 7664-93-9)
Overview: Lead-acid battery recyclers purchase used batteries from generators for a nominal price. In this way, some money is recouped from recycling. When lead-acid batteries are sent to a hazardous waste disposal company, the batteries are still recycled, but the batteries are not purchased from the generator.

The various parts of the lead-acid batteries are recycled. The sulfuric acid is purified and recycled. The lead plates are melted, refined, and recycled. The plastic case is shredded and recycled.

Wet cell lead-acid batteries are routinely collected for recycling at military installations, since most states currently ban the disposal of wet cell lead-acid batteries in landfills. Many vendors provide a "one-for-one" exchange program in which they exchange a used battery with a new battery. POCs contacted indicated that they are receiving from $.01 per pound to $1.00 a battery for recycling. Nellis DRMO estimates they received approximately $600 for recycling their lead-acid batteries in 1997. Nellis Air Force Base turns in their lead-acid batteries for recycling to their DRMO.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that approximately 80 percent of all lead-acid car batteries are currently recycled. Most battery recycling facilities will accept lead-acid batteries.
Compliance Benefit: According to discussions with the RCRA Hotline, lead acid batteries that are going to be recycled do not have to be included in a facilities monthly totals of hazardous waste generated (40 CFR 261.5). Therefore recycling may help facilities reduce their generator status and lessen the amount of regulations (i.e., recordkeeping, reporting, inspections, transportation, accumulation time, emergency prevention and preparedness, emergency response) they are required to comply with under RCRA, 40 CFR 262.

The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as a general guideline and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g. the amount of workload involved.
Materials Compatibility: There were no material compatibility issues identified.


Safety and Health: Handling lead-acid batteries can be dangerous in terms of possible explosions and exposure to sulfuric acid. In addition, the batteries themselves can be fairly heavy and hard to lift, such as out of the engine bay. Therefore, safe work practices and proper personal protective equipment is recommended.

Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology.
Benefits:
  • Potential monetary compensation from purchase of lead-acid batteries by recycler.
  • Meet state requirements regarding the ban of disposing lead-acid batteries in landfills.


Disadvantages:
  • None Identified.


Economic Analysis: The following cost elements for Recycling and Disposal are compared using estimated costs provided by DRMO, Nellis.

Assumptions:

  • Weight of lead-acid batteries collected per year: 60,000 lbs.
  • Recycler purchase price for spent lead-acid battery: $0.01/lb.
  • Yearly labor associated with collecting lead-acid batteries for recycling: 2 hr./month or 24 hrs/yr.
  • Lead-acid battery disposal fee (range of $0.12/lb. - $0.46/lb. the average is $0.29/lb.): $17,400
  • Yearly labor associated with collecting lead-acid batteries for disposal: 2 hr./month or 24 hrs/yr.
  • Labor rate: $30/hr.

Annual Operating Cost Comparison for Recycling and Hazardous Waste Disposal

 

Recycling

Disposal for Recycling
Operational Costs:    
Labor: $720 $720
Waste Disposal: $0 $17,400
Total Operational Costs: $720 $18,120
Total Recovered Income: $600 $0
Net Annual Cost/Benefit: -$120 -$18,120

Economic Analysis Summary

    Annual Savings for Recycling: $18,000
    Capital Cost for Diversion Equipment/Process: $0
    Payback Period for Investment in Equipment/Process: N/A

Click Here to view an Active Spreadsheet for this Economic Analysis and Enter Your Own Values.


Approving Authority: Approval is controlled locally. Major claimant approval is not required.


NSN/MSDS:
Product NSN Unit Size Cost MSDS*
None Identified     $  


*There are multiple MSDSs for most NSNs.
The MSDS (if shown above) is only meant to serve as an example.

 
Points of Contact: Air Force:
Major Beretta
Rhode Island Air National Guard
143 AW/EM, HQ Rhode Island Air National Guard Building
1 Minuteman Way
North Kingstown, RI 02852
Phone: (401) 886-1357
DSN: 4763357
FAX: (401) 886-1299

Mr. Kenny Alexander
Environmental Protection Specialist
99th Air Base Wing, Environmental Management Office
4349 Duffer Drive
Suite 1601
Nellis Air Force Base, NV 89191-7007
Phone: (702) 652-5313
FAX: (702) 652-2722

 
Navy:
Mr. Henry Anner
Hazardous Waste Specialist
NAS Jacksonville, FD Department
Building 27, Box 5
Code 184
Jacksonville, FL 32212
Phone: (904) 542-2717 ext 138
DSN: 905422717
FAX: (904)542-3858

 
Vendors: This is not meant to be a complete list, as there are other manufacturers of this type of equipment.


Kinsbury Brothers Inc.
1314 N. Lemon Street
Anaheim,  CA   92801
Phone: (800) 548-8797 
FAX: (714) 441-0857
Contact: Paul Schneder
Sunn Battery Company
1316  W. Adam Street
Jacksonville,  FL   32204
Phone: (800) 226-4508 
FAX: (904) 358-7753
Contact: Randy Beckworth

 
Sources: Ellen Adintori, DRMO, Nellis, August 1998
Major Beretta, RIANG, August 1998
Betty Ruiz, Selco Battery, August 1998
Mike Downs, NAS Jacksonville, September 1998.

[Back]