National Battery Day: Electrifying Our World with Sustainable Energy Practices
February 18th is National Battery Day, and it celebrates the critical role batteries play in meeting our energy storage and sustainability demands! It’s the day we honor the ground-breaking strides in battery innovation and appreciate how integral batteries are to our evolving energy needs.
Lead batteries have become a beacon for green energy solutions. Not only do they lead in efficiency, but they also hold the unique distinction of being nearly 100 percent recyclable within the industry’s closed-loop system. This innovative practice keeps defunct batteries from landing in our landfills, contributing to a more sustainable future.
You, too, can become a part of this incredible journey this National Battery Day. Start by educating yourself on the proper disposal methods of used batteries before collecting them for recycling. Organizations like www.call2recycle.org, a renowned non-profit national entity, can aid in your mission, guiding you on discerning between different battery types and locating convenient recycling centers and disposal options nearby.
Intriguing Facts about Battery Recycling:
- Lead batteries boast an impressive 99% recycling rate
- Over 160 million lead batteries are recycled each year, averting landfill buildup
- Battery outer containers are melted down to form new ones
- Lead cells within batteries are melted, refined, and recycled into new batteries
- Battery acid is converted into sodium sulfate for use in textiles, glass production, and laundry detergent manufacturing
- A new lead battery comprises a whopping 80% of recycled material
Economic Impact:
The US Battery Industry doesn’t just provide energy, it fuels economies too. With a scalable infrastructure that satisfies the burgeoning power needs of diverse sectors, it stands as a cornerstone of economic growth.
- More than 90% of backup power for telecommunications comes from lead batteries
- EV Fast Charge stations utilize lead batteries to meet current demand of 20K fast chargers
- Lead batteries provide a $26.3-billion impact on economies
- The battery industry has a robust supply chain with 50 manufacturers in North America
- Industries including Renewable Energy, Transportation, Grid Resiliency, and Defense rely on the lead batteries
- The battery industry employs nearly 25K workers, an estimated $1.7-billion in annual payroll
Next Steps:
Become a part of this sustainable movement. Gather your old batteries and drop them at a local store, organization, or recycling facility. Remember to identify the type of battery you’re recycling correctly; lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries follow different recycling methods. Unsure of how or where to dispose of your used batteries? Visit www.call2recycle.org to find a local drop-off point. For further insights into battery recycling processes, explore www.batterycouncil.org.