August 27, 2020: The lead battery industry was included by the American Society of Association Executives as part of its centennial celebration on August 10-12, where those that had made ‘meaningful contributions’ over the last 100 years were identified.
Founded in 1920 in Washington, DC, the ASAE is a membership organization of 46,000 executives and people in industry and provides a range of services such as advocacy, contacts and business advice.
Battery Council International’s ‘Model for Recycling’ vignette, which was featured at the celebration, focused on the lead battery industry’s sustainability.
It highlighted how the lead battery industry ticked three boxes considered to be association accomplishments: major legislative/regulatory contributions; times when the country came together; and policies that changed society.
Roger Miksad, BCI executive vice president, said: “BCI drafted one of the first model laws to promote the sustainable materials management and recycling of batteries. Today, more than 40 states have adopted the model, and lead batteries are the most recycled consumer product in the US.
“We are thrilled to be in the same company as the USO, the Civil Rights Act, and the Red Cross blood donation program.”
“In 1988, when we started this work, recycling of household waste was just gaining traction,” said David Weinberg, a partner at Wiley law firm, which has been working with BCI for decades.
“We were pioneers in creating a circular economy within the manufacturing sector, where we make-use-recycle-manufacture in a closed-loop operation rather than take-make-use and then send the product to a landfill.
“Lead is still the only battery chemistry that can claim such complete recycling success.”
In September 2019 the World Economic Forum recognized the lead battery industry for its closed-loop nature in mature economies such as Europe and North America.
However, it also said that in several countries up to 50% of end-of-life lead batteries were recycled in informal facilities, leading to environmental problems.
