Battery Recycling Grows

The Battery Council International reported that between 1995 and 1999 the battery industry recycled 93.3 percent of the lead from lead-acid batteries. The results came from the BCIa 1995-1999 National Recycling Rate Study, which tracks the lead recycling rate from spent or used automotive, truck, motorcycle, marine, garden tractor and other lead-acid batteries.

The BCI has been tracking recycling rates since 1987. The group worked to pass the lead-acid battery recycling laws that prohibit the disposal of used batteries and require batteries to be collected through take-back programs. Forty two states have adopted this law. According to the BCI, the legislation was geared to promote the battery collection infrastructure.

A copy of BCI's 1995-1999 National Recycling Rate Study, along with historical recycling data, is available at www.batterycouncil.org.