August 16, 2024: US trade body union the Teamsters has praised the safe and environmentally friendly operations at a beleaguered Ecobat lead battery recycling plant in California.

The union’s backing for the plant came after Ecobat received a draft permit from the California Department of Toxic Substance Controls (DTSC) to continue operating its beleaguered Los Angeles plant for the first time in 19 years.

The 13-acre facility, in the City of Industry roughly 15 miles east of downtown LA, has been demolishing 600 tonnes of lead-acid automotive batteries per day on a 2005 permit that technically expired in 2015.

A second, DTSC ‘post-closure’ draft permit, would require Ecobat to continue monitoring groundwater around two closed areas onsite and conduct annual soil sampling around the facility perimeter for at least 13 more years.

In a statement issued on July 17, Chris Griswold, Teamsters local 986 principal officer and Teamsters joint council 42 president, said most of Ecobat’s employees are proud members of Teamsters Local 986.

“We take pride in our role in ensuring safe and environmentally friendly battery recycling… Teamster Local 986 members operate the world’s cleanest lead acid battery recycling facility.”

Griswold said Ecobat was committed to worker safety and the firm had created generations of good union jobs, providing long-term economic stability to communities.

“With Teamster support, Ecobat has engaged in transparent public outreach about its recycling process and environmental controls. We look forward to continuing our partnership in educating the community and participating in the DTSC’s public comment process for Ecobat’s operating permit.”

Both permits are open for public comment until November 18, 2024.