News | November 11, 2024

The Lifecycle of a Lead Battery — A Story of Unmatched Sustainability

Blue graphic that animates the circular lifecycle of a lead battery.

For more than 100 years, the lead battery has provided essential power to keep us moving, connected, and protected. It’s the often-overlooked workhorse that powers our daily lives and economy. From vehicles to renewable energy storage systems to backup power for data centers, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure, we rely on lead batteries every day to power 30% of our global energy storage needs.

Not to mention, with an incredible 99% recycling rate in the U.S., the lead battery industry is a trailblazer in sustainability — leading the way as a model circular economy for other industries. Association of Battery Recyclers (ABR) member companies are a critical link in this closed-loop value chain by responsibly recycling more than 160 million used batteries each year — turning discarded lead battery components into highly valuable, raw materials for new products.

To better understand how the domestic lead battery industry has accomplished this amazing feat, let’s take a closer look at the full lifecycle of a lead battery. Watch our new Circular Economy Spotlight video — the first of its kind to dive deep into the circular lifecycle of lead batteries.

Designed to be Recycled

From the start, lead batteries are designed to be recycled. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t technologically advanced. Battery manufacturers are continually innovating, developing new technology to improve performance and extend the lifecycle of each battery. In fact, the life expectancy of lead batteries has increased by up to 50% or more over the past 20 years.

Engineered for Endless Renewal

Did you know the three main components of a lead battery are 100% recyclable? Using components made of materials that can be recycled repeatedly not only keeps these materials out of landfills, it ensures a continuous supply of valuable metal and materials that are remanufactured into new batteries. More than 90% of lead batteries sold in the U.S. are produced in North America.

Collage with images of applications in the lifecycle of lead batteries supporting our everyday lives.

Enabling Nearly Every Industry

Lead batteries play an important role in powering our daily lives and the U.S. economy. They are used in nearly every vehicle, factory, warehouse, data center, medical facility, and utility — keeping us moving, connected, and protected all day, every day.

Convenient Collection Sites

When it comes to recycling lead batteries, the industry has worked hard with manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, and government agencies to ensure there are no excuses. With a network of more than 300,000 collection sites in the U.S., recycling lead batteries is convenient for everyone. And because nearly all the materials in spent lead batteries have value, recycling is incentivized for businesses and consumers.

Nearly 100% Recyclable

Inevitably, all lead batteries will reach end-of-life. When the time comes, ABR member companies are here to ensure they are recycled responsibly — turning discarded lead battery components into highly valuable, raw materials for new products.

Spent lead batteries are broken down and the materials are separated. Reclaimed lead, which is endlessly recyclable, is smelted, refined, and reused in new batteries. The reclaimed plastic pieces are washed and recycled into pellets to be reused in the manufacturing of new battery cases. Reclaimed acid is either neutralized and reused in the recycling process or reclaimed for manufacturing new batteries.

ABR Members Meet Critical Demand

It’s no accident that lead batteries are the #1 most recycled consumer product in the U.S. It’s a carefully choreographed collaboration between the lead battery industry and consumers to close the loop and create a fully sustainable circular economy. Every day, hundreds of semi-trailers filled with spent batteries make their way to cutting-edge recycling facilities. As a result, U.S. lead battery recyclers are able to meet 59% of domestic lead demand — ensuring manufacturers have a continuous supply of the resources they need to help power progress and provide energy security.

Powering a Sustainable Future

As we look to a more sustainable future, the lead battery industry stands out as a model of the circular economy in action. Through continuous innovation and responsible recycling, ABR member companies ensure that lead batteries not only power our present but are also poised to meet the energy demands of tomorrow. By choosing lead batteries and supporting recycling efforts, we all contribute to a greener planet—one that benefits from an endlessly renewable supply of vital resources. Together, we can keep closing the loop for a cleaner, more sustainable world.