News | March 18, 2024
Each year, millions of used lead batteries conclude one of their lifecycles — destined to live again as new batteries thanks to the dedication of thousands of employees working in the lead battery recycling industry.
On Global Recycling Day, March 18, we join the industry in honoring these #RecyclingHeroes, who work every day to prevent more than 160 million lead batteries from reaching landfills annually.
According to a report commissioned by Battery Council International, the U.S. lead battery recycling industry provides nearly 3,500 good-paying, direct jobs in 10 states. These workers are part of an established infrastructure that advances sustainability and ensures a reliable domestic supply chain for lead battery manufacturers.
Without domestic lead battery recycling, the U.S. would need to import 1.6 million tons of lead annually. The industry fulfills 59% of domestic demand for lead, reducing the need to ship spent batteries to countries with lower environmental and health-protection standards, protecting communities everywhere.
The lead battery recycling industry provides thousands of green jobs dedicated to protecting the planet. As part of the most successful example of a closed-loop, circular economy, domestic recyclers transform spent lead batteries back into valuable raw materials that are used to manufacture new batteries. Accomplishing this feat requires the hard work and expertise of employees in a wide variety of roles — from engineering positions to furnace operators and everything in between.
Plant Operations
Plant operators function in a variety of roles depending on the part of the recycling process on which they work. Sorters inspect the batteries received to ensure that only lead batteries enter the recycling system. Operators working on the smelting process may work with the blast furnaces, refinery or casting to turn reclaimed lead into new lead ingots.
Operators working in plastics recycling will oversee the process of turning reclaimed plastic from the battery crusher into new plastic pellets for use in manufacturing new battery casings. Others may manage the distillation process that turns used battery acid into sodium sulfate.
Engineering
A variety of engineering specialties are needed to ensure the safe and efficient operation of lead battery recycling facilities. Process engineers are responsible for developing and implementing manufacturing processes. Metallurgical engineers oversee the extraction and processing of metals. Control engineers design, implement and monitor the process control systems that keep the plant operating smoothly.
Lab & Quality Control
Lab analysts and technicians are responsible for monitoring the production process to ensure safety, quality, environmental, and production standards are met. In addition to identifying issues with process and/or quality control, lab workers may conduct tests and experiments in collaboration with other departments to determine a solution.
Electricians
Industrial electricians are critical to the day-to-day operations of a lead recycling facility. Electricians are responsible for electrical repairs and maintenance of all electrical systems, machinery and equipment within the facility. They must be able to troubleshoot issues as well as calibrate, install and perform preventive maintenance on a wide variety of systems.
Maintenance
Maintenance technicians play an important role in keeping recycling facilities up and running. They must be able to install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair equipment such as pumps, conveyors, gearboxes, flue pipes, water lines, burner systems, air compressors and hydraulic systems.
Material Handling and Logistics
Recycling facilities need capable material handlers to operate mobile equipment like front-end loaders and forklifts throughout the plant. Outside of the plant, logistics professionals make it possible to connect the network of collection, recycling and manufacturing facilities. Drivers pick up and transport spent batteries from collection sites for recycling, raw materials from recycling plants for manufacturing and new batteries to be shipped for retail distribution.
Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS)
Ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, their families and local communities is the top priority for North American lead battery recyclers. To accomplish this, our member companies employ EHS staff who are trained in all areas of environmental protection and worker safety.
These employees have dedicated roles that ensure environmental control systems are operating properly, appropriate operating procedures are followed and all required monitoring and testing are performed. They are also responsible for training production staff on safe operating procedures.
As our nation transitions to clean energy storage and a low-carbon future, lead batteries are poised to play a key role as a safe, sustainable energy storage solution. With a 99% recycling rate, the highest collection and recycling rate of any battery in the U.S., lead batteries are the recycling industry’s greatest success story. Our work is critical to a sustainable future and would not be possible without the expertise and dedication of our #RecyclingHeroes.
