March 24, 2022: The Association of Battery Recyclers (ABR) highlighted the key role played by lead battery recycling in underpinning an expansion of energy storage in the US in new data published on March 16.

ABR, the trade association for North American lead battery recyclers, gave details of the high standards deployed by the industry on a new website launched in the run-up to Global Recycling Day on March 18.

ABR president Rick Leiby said: “Our country’s well established lead battery recycling system has become the standard for creating a circular economy for all battery recycling.

“As demand for battery energy storage continues to rise, the success of lead battery recycling is the benchmark for other technologies.

Critical role

“Batteries are critical for meeting demand growth in energy storage, for vital industries such as security, data centers, electrified transportation and renewable energy.”

According to the ABR, around 130 million lead batteries are typically diverted from US landfill sites annually, giving the country a 99% recycling rate. In turn, a new lead battery typically consists of about 80% recycled material from used lead batteries.

Today, 62% of the lead needed for a new lead battery made in the US is supplied by US lead battery recyclers.

Leiby said: “These statistics are especially relevant in this time of supply chain disruption. The US must continue to become more self-sufficient by domestically providing the raw materials needed to maintain advanced lead battery manufacturing in the US.”