Sources
Information presented on the ABR website and materials is derived from the sources below.
Information presented on the ABR website and materials is derived from the sources below.
99% Recycling Rate – Lead batteries have the highest collection and recycling rate of any type of battery.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
#1 Recycled Product – Lead batteries are the most recycled consumer product in the U.S.
“Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 2020.
+160M Recycled Annually – The number of lead batteries kept from landfills in the U.S.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
59% Domestic Fulfillment – The amount of lead demand met by U.S. lead battery recyclers.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2023.” U.S. Geological Survey, January 2023
#1 Recycled Product – Lead batteries are the most recycled consumer product in the U.S.
“Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 2020.
Lead batteries power 30% of global energy storage, including vehicles, renewable energy systems, and backup power for data centers, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure.
Avicenne Energy Report commissioned by Consortium for Battery Innovation, 2024
A typical new lead battery is made from 80% recycled material, reducing the need for raw resources.
“Lead Industry Life Cycle Studies: Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment of Lead Battery and Architectural Sheet Production.” The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, January 2016
Over 90% of lead batteries sold in the U.S. are produced in North America.
C. Pillot, Avicenne Energy, 2022
When batteries reach the end of their life, 99% are collected for recycling — the highest recycling rate of any consumer product.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
“Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 2020.
Recycling lead uses 90% less energy and produces 90% less greenhouse gas emissions than mining new lead.
Battery Council International, November 2023
Recycling diverts over 160 million lead batteries from landfills annually.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
The lead battery industry supports over 106,000 in the U.S.
Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry, Battery Council International, March 2025
Lead batteries power 30% of global energy storage, including vehicles, renewable energy systems, and backup power for data centers, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure.
Avicenne Energy Report commissioned by Consortium for Battery Innovation, 2024
Lead batteries are trailblazers in sustainability, with an incredible 99% recycling rate in the U.S.—higher than
aluminum, paper, and
glass.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
“Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 2020.
Over 160 million lead batteries recycled annually in the U.S.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
59% of U.S. lead demand is met by domestic lead battery recyclers.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2023.” U.S. Geological Survey, January, 2023
A typical new lead battery is made from 80% recycled material, reducing the need for raw resources.
“Lead Industry Life Cycle Studies: Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment of Lead Battery and Architectural Sheet Production.” The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, January 2016
Over 90% of lead batteries sold in the U.S. are produced in North America.
C. Pillot, Avicenne Energy, 2022
When batteries reach the end of their life, 99% are collected for recycling.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
The lead battery industry supports over 106,000 in the U.S.
Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry, Battery Council International, March 2025
Recycling lead uses 90% less energy and produces 90% less greenhouse gas emissions than mining new lead.
Battery Council International, November 2023
+160M Recycled Annually – The number of lead batteries kept from landfills in the U.S. each year.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
99% Recycling Rate – Lead batteries have the highest collection and recycling rate of any battery chemistry in the U.S.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
59% Domestic Fulfillment – The amount of lead demand met by U.S. lead battery recyclers.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2023.” U.S. Geological Survey, January, 2023
On average, our U.S. recycling companies invested more than $70 million per facility in EHS improvements between 2010-2020 to ensure a safe workplace and minimize environmental emissions.
International Lead Association, 2022
United States lead battery recyclers are critical to a circular economy and sustainable energy storage, preventing more than 160 million lead batteries from reaching landfills each year.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
$70 Million Investment per Facility – Average investment in EHS improvements between 2010-2020, including advanced, high-efficiency air-filtration systems to ensure a safe workplace and minimize environmental emissions.
International Lead Association, 2022
30% of Annual Operating Budget – Average EHS allocation by lead battery recyclers, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and dedicated EHS personnel.
International Lead Association, 2022
32 Hours – Average safety training per operations employee each year.
International Lead Association, 2022
Between 2012-2022, U.S. lead battery recyclers invested an average of $7 million in PPE per facility.
International Lead Association, 2022
At the end of 2020, the average employee BLL across all U.S. lead battery recyclers was 10.9µg/dL.
International Lead Association, 2022
U.S. lead battery recyclers are critical to a circular economy and sustainable energy storage, preventing more than 160 million lead batteries from reaching landfills each year.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
32 Hours – Average safety training per operations employee each year.
International Lead Association, 2022
$70M Investment Per Recycling Facility – Average investment in EHS improvements between 2010-2020.
International Lead Association, 2022
30% of Annual Operating Budget – Average EHS allocation by lead battery recyclers.
International Lead Association, 2022
10% of Employees Focused on EHS Practices – Average percentage of on-site staff working in EHS related positions.
International Lead Association, 2022
In fact, U.S. lead battery recyclers’ total lead emissions to air are less than 1% of the total U.S. air lead emissions.
“2017 National Emissions Inventory (NEI) Data,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, April 2020
On average, U.S. recycling companies: Invested more than $70 million per facility in EHS improvements between 2010-2020, including advanced, high-efficiency air-filtration systems to ensure a safe workplace and minimize environmental emissions.
International Lead Association, 2022
On average, U.S. recycling companies: Spend about 23% of their annual operating budget on EHS.
International Lead Association, 2022
On average, U.S. recycling companies: Have 10% of their on-site employees working in jobs focused on EHS.
International Lead Association, 2022
On average, U.S. recycling companies: Devote about 15,000 hours to EHS training every year.
International Lead Association, 2022
About 80% of a typical new lead battery is made from recycled lead battery material, and lead can be infinitely recycled.
“Lead Industry Life Cycle Studies: Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment of Lead Battery and Architectural Sheet Production.” The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, January 2016
Lead batteries are the most recycled consumer product (99%) in the U.S. and the most sustainable battery technology.
“Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 2020.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, November 2019
For example, lithium-ion batteries have a <15% recycling rate.
“Building Resilient Supply Chains, Revitalizing American Manufacturing, and Fostering Broad-Based Growth,” The White House, June 2021
Lead air emissions by U.S. lead battery recycling plants represent less than 1% of U.S. air lead emissions annually.
“2017 National Emissions Inventory (NEI) Data,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, April 2020
Between 2020–2030, lead battery global market growth is predicted to exceed 80,000 MWh, and the recycling industry will be here to ensure that this growth is sustainable.
Avicenne Energy Report commissioned by Consortium for Battery Innovation, November 2021
Diverts 160 million lead batteries from landfills annually.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
Supplies raw materials for new lead batteries, which typically contain 80% recycled content.
“Lead Industry Life Cycle Studies: Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment of Lead Battery and Architectural Sheet Production.” The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, January 2016
Contributes to the lead battery industry that supports over 28,000 direct, good-paying jobs and more than 106,000 total jobs across the U.S. economy.
Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry, Battery Council International, March 2025
Contributes to an industry that generates a $35 billion annual economic impact.
Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry, Battery Council International, March 2025
Lead batteries boast a 99% recycling rate, making them the most recycled consumer product in the U.S.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
“Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 2020.
Supplies 59% of U.S. lead demand through domestic recycling.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2023.” U.S. Geological Survey, January, 2023
Prevents reliance on importing 1.6 million tons of lead annually.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2023.” U.S. Geological Survey, January, 2023
Lead batteries are the most recycled consumer product in the U.S.
“Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 2020.
99% of available spent lead batteries are collected and recycled.
Lead batteries have achieved an impressive 99% recycling rate in the U.S.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
On average, a new lead battery contains 80% recycled material obtained from sustainable recycling practices.
“Lead Industry Life Cycle Studies: Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment of Lead Battery and Architectural Sheet Production.” The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, January 2016
+160M Recycled Annually – The number of lead batteries kept from landfills in the U.S.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
#1 Recycled Product – Lead batteries are the most recycled consumer product in the U.S.
“Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 2020.
59% Domestic Fulfillment – The amount of lead demand met by U.S. lead battery recyclers.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2023.” U.S. Geological Survey, January, 2023
+80% Recycled Material – Composition profile of a typical new lead battery.
“Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment of Lead Battery and Architectural Sheet Production,” The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2016
99% Recycling Rate – Lead batteries have the highest recycling rate.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
+160M Recycled Annually – The number of lead batteries kept from landfills in the U.S.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
Recycling Rates in the United States: Lead Batteries – Most Recycled Product
“Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet.” Environmental Protection Agency, December 2020.
“Building Resilient Supply Chains, Revitalizing American Manufacturing, and Fostering Broad-Based Growth.” The White House, June 2021
U.S. lead battery recyclers are critical to a circular economy and sustainable energy storage, preventing more than 160 million lead batteries from reaching landfills each year.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
32 Hours – Average safety training per operations employee each year.
International Lead Association, 2022
$70M Investment Per Recycling Facility – Average investment in EHS improvements between 2010-2020.
International Lead Association, 2022
30% of Annual Operating Budget – Average EHS allocation by lead battery recyclers.
International Lead Association, 2022
14% of Employees Focused on EHS Practices – Average percentage of on-site staff working in EHS related positions.
International Lead Association, 2022
$7 Million – Average investment in PPE per facility between 2012-2022.
International Lead Association, 2022
#1 Recycled Product – Lead batteries are the most recycled consumer product in the U.S.
“Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 2020.
+160M Recycled Annually – Number of lead batteries kept from landfills in the U.S. each year.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
99% Recycling Rate – Lead batteries have the highest collection and recycling rate of any battery chemistry, far surpassing lithium-ion’s <15%.
“National Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2023
“Building Resilient Supply Chains, Revitalizing American Manufacturing, and Fostering Broad-Based Growth,” The White House, June 2021
59% Domestic Fulfillment – Amount of lead demand met by U.S. lead battery recyclers.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2022.” U.S. Geological Survey, January, 2022
1.6M Tons – Amount of lead that U.S. manufacturers would otherwise need to import annually.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2023.” U.S. Geological Survey, January, 2023
80%+ Recycled Material – Composition profile of a typical new lead battery.
“Lead Industry Life Cycle Studies: Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment of Lead Battery and Architectural Sheet Production.” The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, January 2016
$70M Per Recycling Facility – Average investment in EHS improvements between 2010-2020.
International Lead Association, 2022
23% of Annual Operating Budget – Average EHS allocation by lead battery recyclers.
International Lead Association, 2022
10% of Employees – Average number of off-site staff working in EHS-related positions.
International Lead Association, 2022
15,000 Training Hours – Time devoted to EHS training annually by U.S. lead battery recyclers.
International Lead Association, 2022
3,000+ Green Jobs – Number of direct U.S. jobs focused on lead battery recycling.
Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry, Battery Council International, March 2025
$35 Billion – Total impact made by the U.S. lead battery recycling and manufacturing industry.
Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry, Battery Council International, March 2025
Highly Competitive Salaries – Average payroll per worker for U.S. lead battery recycling companies is 66% higher than the average private sector industry salary.
Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry, Battery Council International, March 2025
