RECYCLING LEAD ACID BATTERIES
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| 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 $0.01 per pound to $1.00 a battery for recycling. Nellis DRMO, Nevada, estimates they received approximately $600 for recycling their lead-acid batteries in 1997. Nellis AFB turns in its lead-acid batteries for recycling to its DRMO. The U.S. 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 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 recycling of
lead-acid batteries will also help facilities comply with the recycling
requirements of EO 13101, Greening the Government Through Waste
Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition. In addition, EPA
considers small sealed lead-acid batteries, such as those found in portable
computers and electronic equipment, to be a Universal Waste under
40 CFR 273.9. As a result, many of the hazardous waste
management requirements applicable to them, such as labeling, employee training,
accumulation time limits, and tracking, are simplified and less stringent.
The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as general guidelines 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: | No material
compatibility issues were identified.
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| 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: |
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| Disadvantages: |
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| Economic Analysis: |
The following cost elements
for recycling and disposal are compared using estimated costs provided by
DRMO, Nellis AFB.
Assumptions:
Annual Operating Cost Comparison for Recycling and Hazardous Waste Disposal
Economic Analysis Summary:
Click here to View an Active Spreadsheet for this Economic Analysis and Enter Your Own Values. To return from the Active Spreadsheet, click the Back arrow in the Tool Bar. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| NSN/MSDS: | None identified.
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| Approving Authority: | Appropriate authority for making process changes should always be sought and obtained prior to procuring or implementing any of the technology identified herein.
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| Points of Contact: | For more information | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Vendors: | This is not meant to be a complete list, as there may be
other suppliers of this type of equipment.
Kinsbury Brothers Inc. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunn Battery
Company 1316 W. Adam Street Jacksonville, FL 32204 Phone: (800) 226-4508 FAX: (904) 358-7753 Contact: Mr. Randy Beckworth | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related Links: |
Battery Management - Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence/Environmental Quality (AFCEE/EQ)
Do You Recharge Lead-Acid
Batteries? - Navy Environmental Quality Initiative (EQI)
Do You Want To Extend
The Life Of Your Lead-Acid Batteries? - Navy Environmental Quality Initiative (EQI) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sources: | Ellen Adintori,
DRMO, Nellis, August 1998 Major Beretta, RIANG, August 1998 Betty Ruiz, Selco Battery, August 1998 Mike Downs, NAS Jacksonville, September 1998. |