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Recycling

U.S. Battery Manufacturing And The Battery Industry, Celebrate Their Commitment Towards Positive Environmental Change On Earth Day

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Since 1970, Earth Day has stood as a celebration of the modern environmental movement. Today people and industries around the world, including the lead battery industry, have answered the call to help improve our world by developing methods of manufacturing and operations that are more environmentally friendly. As a result of these new approaches, lead batteries are now a sustainable energy source used in a wide range of applications.

The battery industry has emerged as one of the major success stories of this Earth Day movement. Flooded Lead Acid (FLA) batteries are recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the most recycled consumer product in the nation. The innovative recycling methods for the lead battery industry result in 99 percent of every lead battery being recycled. Translating into 130-million used batteries not reaching landfills annually. Over the decades, the process has evolved to use almost every part of the battery. Battery reyclingThe polypropylene outer case and cover are broken down into small pellets and manufactured into new batteries and other plastic products. The internal lead components of the battery are melted down to make components for new batteries. The battery’s electrolyte is neutralized and purified into water or converted into sodium sulfate, a compound commonly used in laundry detergent, glass, and textiles.

The effects of the battery industry’s efforts, however, don’t end there. As well as reducing its environmental impact, the battery industry provides $26.3-billion in revenue to the nation’s economy, impacting suppliers, worker spending, transportation, and distribution sectors. According to the Battery Council International (BCI), the international trade association of battery manufacturers, an estimated $1.7 billion is put into payroll within an industry of approximately 25,000 workers in the United States.

In addition, advancements in battery technology have turned lead batteries into one of the most cost-efficient forms of energy, allowing battery-powered equipment to operate cleanly and with increased reliability. Lower operating costs also offer advantages to lead battery-powered machinery and vehicles, further reducing emissions and reducing the environmental impact of other industries that embrace battery power.

U.S. Battery is proud to be a part of this effort and continually encourages customers and industries it’s involved in to recycle and use battery power where ever possible. Please join U.S. Battery and others in the global community in celebrating Earth Day by visiting the EarthDay.org website and finding an event to participate in or ways to take action. For more information, visit www.earthday.org, or for more information on sustainable deep-cycle batteries for various applications, visit www.usbattery.com.

 

Battery Day

BATTERY RECYCLING CAN LEAD TO A BETTER FUTURE FOR ENERGY RESOURCES

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Celebrating National Battery Day (February 18th) is a reminder to industries and consumers of the number of batteries we rely on daily, as well as our responsibility to recycle them properly. Various business sectors and local and federal government agencies are increasingly looking to lead batteries as a vital energy resource. Lead-acid batteries are nearly 100-percent recycled in a closed-loop system and represent a sustainable resource that is good for the environment.

Battery reyclingContinuation of this closed-loop is an essential part of the manufacturing process. So in observance of NBD, people can contribute to a brighter future by gathering their old or used batteries and recycling them properly. Organizations like www.call2recycle.org, a national non-profit, are dedicated to helping consumers identify various battery types and locate local recycling centers and disposal options. This national effort is also designed to discourage the improper disposal of batteries in landfills, which can lead to chemical and fire hazards and potential injury to workers.

National And Local Economic Contributions

In addition to batteries being a sustainable and recyclable source of energy, they also provide more than 90-percent of the backup power required for localized 24/7 telecommunications backup recovery systems that protect lives, investments, and data in an emergency. Within the transportation and motive power sectors, 12V lead batteries have a projected growth reaching more than six percent in the automotive market alone between 2015 and 2030, bringing the market value to $31.9B.

In the United States, lead batteries have a $26.3-billion impact on economies that affect local suppliers, worker spending, transportation, and distribution networks. This impact provides an estimated $1.7-billion in annual payroll, supporting the battery industry that employs nearly 25,000 workers.

FUTURE IMPACT

As batteries increase in use and popularity, manufacturers look at ways to improve their efficiency. For example, flooded lead-acid (FLA)batteries are still widely used, despite their more than 150-year-old technology. To better power modern equipment, battery manufacturers continue to make product improvements, such as developing more efficient positive electrodes using tetrabasic lead sulfate crystals that create a highly uniform pattern. This pattern increases initial capacity, provides faster cycle-up to peak capacity, and enhances cycle life. Advances have also been made in maintenance-free Absorbed Glass Matt (AGM) batteries, including the prevention of positive electrode corrosion and the use of carbon-enhanced negative active materials. These have improved AGM battery’s charge acceptance in a partial state of charge applications and have helped to increase cycle life over previous models.

While Lithium-ion batteries are not new to mobile devices and computers, their use in electric vehicles, bicycles, and industrial applications continues to increase. New designs allow them to have an increased cycle-life from 2,000 to 5,000 cycles, and they can be discharged beyond 50-percent DOD without reducing cycle-life. The latest designs also feature an integrated battery management system (BMS), eliminating the need for additional electronics or special chargers in industrial applications.

Do Your Part

Gather old batteries and locate a local store, organization, or recycling facility to take them to. It’s also important to correctly identify the type of battery taken to a recycling center. Lithium-ion batteries cannot be recycled as lead-acid batteries are, and if they enter into the lead battery recycling facility, fires and explosions can occur. If you are unsure where or how to dispose of your used batteries, visit. www.call2recycle.org to find a local drop-off location. For more information on battery recycling processes, visit the Battery Council International at www.batterycouncil.org.

 

Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia Visits California Battery Plant

Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia Visits California Battery Plant

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On September 26, 2019, representatives from U.S. Battery and Battery Council International were pleased to host Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) at U.S. Battery’s manufacturing facility in the city of Corona. Assemblywoman Garcia is an author of AB-142, the Lead Battery Recycling Act (2016) which requires the Department of Toxic Substances Control to investigate and clean up properties impacted by closed lead battery recycling facilities. Additionally, the legislation stabilizes the funding for the program by increasing the current fee on battery manufacturers and making it permanent.

The facility tour showcased U.S. Battery’s process for manufacturing deep-cycle batteries, which are used for a variety of consumer and commercial applications, including energy storage to support solar and wind energy generation, and zero emissions backup power systems. These applications will be especially important in California, which leads the nation in the fight against climate change and has established ambitious goals to curb emissions of climate-forcing pollutants. To achieve these goals, the state will need to avail itself of all viable clean energy technologies, including lead batteries.

The U.S. Battery manufacturing facility is part of the lead battery industry’s overall contribution to California’s economy:

  • 3,056 jobs
  • $195.9 million in annual labor income,
  • $332.9 million in annual gross state product (GSP),
  • $998.6 million in annual output (overall economic benefit), and
  • $92.9 million in annual government revenue.

These benefits are widespread and support a variety of industries throughout California. For details on the economic contribution of the lead battery industry, visit: www.essentialenergyeveryday.com

U.S. Battery Recycling logo

Battery Sorting, Training Key To Safe Recycling Efforts

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Lithium-ion batteries have become part of our daily lives. They have proven useful for powering many of the electronics that we rely on, from cellphones and power tools to a growing number of electric vehicles. Their chemistry and construction, however, are not compatible with the process used to recycle lead-acid batteries. As a result, the Battery Council International (BCI) has growing concerns that more Lithium-ion batteries may be introduced into the lead-acid recycling ecosystem. The results of such contamination can result in explosion and fire that can cause injury to recycling center personnel and equipment. Lithium-ion batteries must be taken to a proper recycling location to be disposed of these facilities are not the same as lead battery recycling centers. Visit the BCI website to find out where to recycle lithium-ion batteries near you.

Properly Identifying Lead-Acid and Lithium-ion Batteries

Some of the best ways to tell the difference between a lithium-ion battery and a lead battery include:

1) Weight – Lead batteries typically weigh almost double that of a lithium battery of the same size.

2) Labeling – Lead batteries are labeled with the letters PB or have the word Lead Battery somewhere on the battery. Lithium-ion batteries have the letters Li or have the words lithium-ion somewhere on the battery case.

3) Terminal Styles – Most lead batteries have two protruding terminals with a light gray appearance. Lithium batteries may have a number of different styles of terminals.

If you’re still not sure what type of battery you have, you should remove the battery for closer inspection to find a label or other markings that may indicate the chemistry.

The BCI has created a toolkit that can be used by companies, to help employees identify and ensure that lead and lithium batteries are not recycled together.  The toolkit includes training videos, as well as a poster and flyer that can aid lead battery sorters and handlers with proper identification.

Video: https://youtu.be/4TPnUrENTRc

Your Batterty Powered Golf Car May Be Great For The Environment

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The Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries In Your Golf Car Provide Renewable “Green” Energy

For several decades, golf cars have extended beyond the golf course and have been the main mode of daily transportation in resort and retirement communities to ease traffic congestion and reduce noise. With an increasing global interest focused on reducing emissions, utilizing renewable energy sources, and protecting the environment, various industries are taking a second look at the old battery-powered golf car.

The advantages of the electric golf car stem from those that use flooded lead-acid batteries. At first, this seems contrary to the purpose, but a closer look at what is happening with this segment of the battery industry reveals a much greener and sustainable method of power.

Cost Effectiveness

According to Fred Wehmeyer, U.S. Battery Vice President/Engineering, in most cases, flooded lead-acid batteries remain as the most cost-effective method for powering golf cars and small electric vehicles over the long-term. Some would argue that Lithium-ion batteries provide a better solution. Although Lithium battery packs may provide longer cycle life, comparing actual amp-hour capacity and battery pack energy (kilowatt-hours) often shows that the flooded lead-acid battery pack provides the most cost-effective solution at an overall purchase cost and operational cost per kilowatt-hours.

Renewable And Sustainable Advantages

One of the biggest benefits to utilizing golf cars with flooded lead-acid batteries is that the batteries are recycled at a rate of 97 to 99 percent, with the recycled lead going back into new golf car batteries in a closed-loop system. According to the Battery Council International, lead recyclers undergo some of the most restrictive emissions regulations. The process of recycling lead combined with tough emissions standards has produced new methods of recycling with reduced emissions that are far below EPA regulations. The BCI reports that contamination in the air has dropped by 99 percent since 1980. In addition, a recent study released by the BCI suggests that the U.S. lead battery industry enables more than 95,000 jobs for American workers and contributed more than $28 billion in total economic output to the national economy in 2016.*

It’s easy to see why many industries have continued to utilize flooded lead-acid batteries to power everything from fleets of golf cars, aerial lifts, cleaning machines and more. In addition to reducing annual operating costs, industries and individuals embracing battery power are also doing their part to help the economy and the environment.

For more information and maintenance tips on batteries for your electric vehicle, visit www.usbattery.com.

*Lead Battery Industry Provides Billions in Economic Benefit, Provides Gateway to Middle Class – Battery Council International February 1, 2018

How To Recycle A Flooded Lead-Acid Battery

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Recycling Deep Cycle batteries is one of the most important aspects of owning or using battery powered machinery and vehicles. Flooded lead-acid batteries used in golf cars, automobiles, floor cleaning machines, RV’s and more, are recycled at the highest rate of any commercial product; a rate greater than 99 percent.

Where to recycle batteries is the first critical step for this successful process to begin. According to the Battery Council International (BCI), a not-for-profit trade association formed to promote the interests of the international battery industry, batteries should first be identified. Flooded lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries are two very different types of batteries, and cannot be put into the same recycling process. Battery recyclers will indicate what types of batteries they can accept, so read the labels and make sure your batteries go to the right place.

The next step is to visit https://www.call2recycle.org. This website offers resources for individuals and businesses on where the best recycling locations are in your area. The website also helps to find recyclers that allow for drop-off or who offer pick-up services.

Doing your part to recycle batteries is key to continuing the success of the battery industry and its continued growth. For more information, visit www.usbattery.com.

Lead Batteries The Most Recycled Product In The U.S.A. According To The EPA

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The Environmental Protection Agency compared recycling rates for a multitude of materials and found that lead-acid batteries had the highest recycling rate of all consumer products. The facts were published in a June 2015 EPA report titled Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2013 Fact Sheet. The report assessed the disposal and recycling trends in the USA. In a 2013 study within the report, the EPA found that the rate of lead-acid battery recovery was about 99 percent (2.85 million tons), the highest recycling rate over other products such as newspapers, yard trimmings, aluminum cans, tires, consumer electronics, glass, PET bottles and more.

“The recycling infrastructure for lead-acid batteries is a closed loop (cradle to cradle) system,” says Fred Wehmeyer, Senior Vice President of Engineering at U.S. Battery Manufacturing. “As an example, new flooded lead-acid batteries are manufactured from recycled raw materials and the safe delivery methods used to ship batteries worldwide are also the same methods used to return spent lead-acid batteries to be recycled. Throughout the years the process has become extremely refined and efficient, making it one of the most successful environmental reclamation systems in existence.”

According to the Battery Council International, a variety of processes go into recycling lead-acid batteries in which recycling facilities are controlled under some of the strictest U.S. EPA regulations. Innovative systems have been developed to capture all of the components of lead-acid batteries for recycling. For example, lead from spent batteries is smelted and refined to be reused to build new lead-acid batteries. The sulfuric acid electrolyte is also captured and neutralized during the recycling process and then processed into fertilizer.

With a high recycling rate and low operating cost, the FLA battery remains the best solution for most electrically powered vehicles such as golf cars, floor maintenance machines, access lifts, and other battery operated vehicles. It is also the most efficient technology for storing energy and has the longest track record for safety and reliability. So when you combine this with the highest recycling rates on the planet, it stands to reason that this 150-year-old technology has definitely evolved into an energy source that’s hard to beat.
For more information on flooded lead-acid batteries and battery recycling, contact U.S. Battery Manufacturing, 1675 Sampson Ave. Corona, CA 92879. (800) 695-0945. Visit https://www.usbattery.com.