Sources
Information presented on the ABR website and materials is derived from the sources below, organized by topic.
Information presented on the ABR website and materials is derived from the sources below, organized by topic.
98% Recycling Rate
Lead batteries have the highest collection and recycling rate of any type of battery in the U.S.
“U.S. Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2026
#1 Recycled Product
Lead batteries are the most recycled consumer product in the U.S., with a 98% recycling rate.
“Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 2020.
174+ Million Batteries Recycled Annually
The number of lead batteries recycled annually in the U.S.
“U.S. Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2026
2.2+ Billion Pounds of Lead Recovered Annually
More than 2.2 billion pounds of lead are recovered annually from spent lead batteries and returned to the U.S. battery manufacturing supply chain.
“U.S. Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2026
300,000+ Collection Sites
More than 300,000 locations across the U.S. collect spent lead batteries for recycling.
“U.S. Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2026
Comparison to Other Battery Types
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
80% Recycled Material
A typical new lead battery contains approximately 80% recycled material, reducing the need for virgin resources. Lead can be recycled repeatedly without losing its essential properties.
“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
90% Energy Reduction
Recycling lead uses 90% less energy and produces 90% less greenhouse gas emissions than mining new lead.
Battery Council International, November 2023
83%+ of North American Lead Demand Supplied by Recycling
North American lead battery recycling supplies more than 83% of regional lead demand.
“U.S. Recycling Rate Study.” Battery Council International, July 2026
70% of U.S. Lead Demand Supplied by Recycling
Domestic recycling supplies approximately 70% of annual U.S. lead demand.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026.” U.S. Geological Survey, February 2026
1 Million Tons Secondary Lead Production
In 2025, an estimated 1 million tons of secondary (recycled) lead was produced, accounting for 70% of apparent domestic consumption. Nearly all was recovered from old scrap, mostly lead-acid batteries.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026.” U.S. Geological Survey, February 2026
90%+ North American Production
Over 90% of lead batteries sold in the U.S. are produced in North America.
C. Pillot, Avicenne Energy, 2022
163+ GWh U.S. Manufacturing Capacity
Annual manufacturing capacity of lead batteries in the U.S.
Battery Council International, August 2025
211+ GWh North American Manufacturing Capacity
Annual manufacturing capacity of lead batteries in North America.
Battery Council International, August 2025
No Primary Lead Production
The U.S. no longer produces primary refined lead from newly mined ore for the commercial market, making recycled lead absolutely critical to domestic supply chains.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026.” U.S. Geological Survey, February 2026
Lead Designated as Critical Mineral
In November 2025, the U.S. Geological Survey officially added lead to the final 2025 List of Critical Minerals, recognizing its essential role in national security and the economy due to vulnerable supply chains.
“Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals.” Federal Register, November 7, 2025
“Interior Department releases final 2025 List of Critical Minerals.” U.S. Geological Survey, November 6, 2025
Three Critical Minerals from One Recycling Stream
Lead battery recycling recovers three materials included on the 2025 U.S. Critical Minerals List: lead, antimony and tin, making the recycling stream an important contributor to domestic critical mineral supply.
Antimony Recovery & Import Replacement (Critical Mineral)
Recycled antimony from lead batteries contributes to roughly 15% of U.S. antimony demand and is essentially the only domestic source. This domestic recovery helps reduce dependence on imports, particularly from China, which supplied 63% of U.S. antimony metal and oxide imports (2020-23 average).
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025.” U.S. Geological Survey, March 2025
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024.” U.S. Geological Survey, Antimony section, pages 34-35
China Antimony Export Ban
In December 2024, China banned all exports of antimony to the United States, making domestic antimony recovery from lead battery recycling even more critical to national security.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025.” U.S. Geological Survey, March 2025
Tin Recovery (Critical Mineral)
Approximately 10,000 tons of tin were recovered from battery recycling in 2024, accounting for 27% of apparent consumption. The U.S. has no domestic tin mines and relies heavily on imports.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025.” U.S. Geological Survey, March 2025
30% of Global Energy Storage
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
Global BESS Market Growth
Global battery energy storage system deployment is projected to grow significantly through 2030, with installed capacity increasing from approximately 200 GWh to 1,200 GWh.
“Lead market braces for change as technology advances and tariffs bite,” CRU + BCI Report, 2025
$35 Billion Economic Impact
Total annual economic impact of the U.S. lead battery recycling and manufacturing industry.
“Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry,” Battery Council International, March 2025
106,000+ Total Jobs
The lead battery industry supports over 106,000 total jobs across the U.S. economy.
“Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry,” Battery Council International, March 2025
28,000+ Direct Jobs
Number of direct, good-paying jobs in the lead battery industry.
“Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry,” Battery Council International, March 2025
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
66% Higher Average Payroll Per Worker
Average payroll per worker at U.S. lead battery recycling companies is 66% higher than the U.S. private-sector average.
“Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry,” Battery Council International, March 2025
Jobs in 31 States
The lead battery industry creates a diverse mix of well-paying manufacturing and recycling jobs in 31 states.
Battery Council International, March 2025
$15 Billion GDP Contribution
The lead battery industry annually contributes $15 billion in gross domestic product (GDP).
“Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry,” Battery Council International, March 2025
$8.6 Billion Labor Income
The lead battery industry annually contributes $8.6 billion in labor income.
“Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry,” Battery Council International, March 2025
<1% of U.S. Lead Air Emissions
U.S. lead battery recycling facilities account for less than 1% of total U.S. lead air emissions annually.
“2017 National Emissions Inventory (NEI) Data,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, April 2020
$70 Million Average Investment per Facility
Average investment in EHS (Environment, Health & Safety) improvements between 2010-2020 by U.S. recycling companies, 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.
International Lead Association, 2023
14% of Employees in EHS Roles
Average percentage of on-site staff working in EHS-related positions.
International Lead Association, 2023
15,000 Training Hours Annually
Time devoted to EHS training annually by U.S. lead battery recyclers per facility.
International Lead Association, 2022
32 Hours Training per Employee
Average safety training per operations employee each year.
International Lead Association, 2022
$7 Million in PPE Investment
Average investment in personal protective equipment (PPE) per facility between 2012-2022.
International Lead Association, 2022
10.9µg/dL Average BLL
At the end of 2020, the average employee blood lead level (BLL) across all U.S. lead battery recyclers was 10.9µg/dL.
International Lead Association, 2022
