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.
99% Recycling Rate
Lead batteries have the highest collection and recycling rate of any type of battery 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.
160+ Million Batteries 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
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 is made from 80% recycled material, reducing the need for raw resources. 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
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
85%+ North American Fulfillment
U.S. lead battery manufacturers source approximately 85% of lead from North American recycling facilities.
Battery Council International, 2024
70% U.S. Domestic Fulfillment
The amount of lead demand met by U.S. lead battery recyclers specifically.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025.” U.S. Geological Survey, March 2025
1 Million Tons Secondary Lead Production
In 2024, 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 2025.” U.S. Geological Survey, March 2025
1.6 Million Tons Import Replacement
Amount of lead that U.S. manufacturers would otherwise need to import annually.
“Mineral Commodity Summaries 2023.” U.S. Geological Survey, January 2023
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 2025.” U.S. Geological Survey, March 2025
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 simultaneously recovers three materials on the 2025 Critical Minerals List: lead, antimony, and tin—making it a uniquely important contributor to U.S. critical mineral security.
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
Market Growth Projection
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
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Growth
BESS global market projected to more than double deployment by 2030, with installed capacity expanding from 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 Salaries
Average payroll per worker for U.S. lead battery recycling companies is 66% higher than the average private sector industry salary ($81,600 average per-worker salary).
“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 recyclers’ total lead emissions to air are less than 1% of the total U.S. air lead emissions. 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
$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
23-30% of Annual Operating Budget
Average EHS allocation by lead battery recyclers (ranges from 23% to 30% depending on source).
International Lead Association, 2022
10-14% of Employees in EHS Roles
Average percentage of on-site staff working in EHS-related positions (ranges from 10% to 14% depending on source).
International Lead Association, 2022
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
