Used Lead Acid Batteries
Fact sheet
Department of the Environment and Heritage, August 2005
PDF file
About the fact sheet
What are Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULABs)?
Description: Lead acid batteries are relatively simple electrochemical devices able to store electrical energy, and deliver it to motors and other appliances when needed. Unlike common dry cell or alkaline batteries used in torches and other household appliances, lead acid batteries may be recharged after the stored energy has been used. This is why they are widely used in motor vehicle starting engines and running appliances (e.g. air conditioning, headlights). Although the starter motor and headlights use much of the battery's stored energy, the battery is continuously recharged by the alternator during normal running of the engine.
Construction: Lead acid batteries are made up of sheets of lead immersed in a 'bath' of sulfuric acid. Usually the whole assembly is contained in a robust plastic case made of polypropylene or polyethylene.
Battery Life: Although lead acid batteries may be charged and re-charged many times, each cycle places small stresses on the lead plates, which eventually distort. This causes short circuits within the battery so that the battery is unable to hold stored energy for a prolonged period. Depending on operating conditions and other factors, a number of other processes may take place in the battery which coat the plates with scale or other non-reactive material, making them difficult or impossible to re-charge.
As a result of these degradation processes batteries become unusable and are then known as Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULABs), and are waste. In Australia the lifetime for motorcar batteries is typically three to four years, while for trucks and tractors the typical lifetime is two to three years.
When they become waste, Used Lead Acid Batteries are classified as a hazardous waste under the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 and require a permit if exported or imported. Other state or territory legislation may apply and the dangerous goods code may apply in certain circumstances.
The indicative rate of generation of Used Lead Acid Batteries in Australia is of the order of 70 000 to 80 000 tonnes per annum, but since data for traction batteries (fork lift trucks etc) and other industrial applications is uncertain, this estimate may be conservative.
Why are they hazardous?
- All Used Lead Acid Batteries are hazardous waste because they contain lead, lead compounds and/or sulfuric acid.
- They are still hazardous wastes even when drained of acid because they still contain lead.
- Lead compounds can be absorbed through ingestion and inhalation.
- Lead is an acutely and chronically toxic compound.
- Lead is also highly toxic to fish, other animals and plants.
- Acid is corrosive.
Where do they come from?
Lead acid batteries have numerous applications that may employ different voltages, sizes and weights, ranging from two kilogram no-break batteries to industrial batteries, which may weigh more than 2,000 kilograms or more.
Used Lead Acid Batteries may be classified as:
- Automobile -those batteries used as the main energy source for starting, lighting and ignition (SLI batteries) in vehicles including cars, trucks, tractors, motorcycles, boats and aircraft.
- Generic-those batteries used in portable tools and devices such as domestic alarm systems, emergency lights and solar power systems.
- Industrial-those batteries for stationary applications such as telecommunications, electrical power stations, uninterrupted power supplies or no-breaks, load leveling, alarm and security systems, general industrial use and starting of diesel motors.
- Motive-those batteries used to transport loads or people, such as fork lift trucks, golf carts, luggage transportation in airports, wheelchairs, electric cars and buses.
- Special-those batteries used in specific scientific, medical or military applications, and those that are integrated in electric-electronic circuits.
Where do they go?
Used Lead Acid Batteries are collected and processed for lead recovery.
Australian smelters process up to 65 000 tonnes of Used Lead Acid Batteries per annum.
Recycling of Used Lead Acid Batteries offers the following advantages:
- Uses less energy than refining primary ore.
- Removes lead from the environment.
Is export of Used Lead Acid Batteries regulated?
YES. As Used Lead Acid Batteries are defined as a hazardous waste under the Australian Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989, exports of this waste to other countries for recycling can only occur after the exporter has been granted an export permit
There are a number of issues with export of Used Lead Acid Batteries. Anyone thinking of applying for a permit should review the AAT (Administrative Appeals Tribunal) decision involving Australian Refined Alloys Pty Limited and Exide Australia Pty Limited at: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/aat/2003/247.html It would be useful for an applicant to be familiar with these issues.
Companies or individuals who export hazardous waste in contravention of the Act may be liable for severe penalties, and in the case of company directors and individuals, imprisonment of up to five years.
For guidance on how to apply for an export permit for Used Lead Acid Batteries, please refer to Information paper No 3. Australian guide to exporting and importing hazardous waste: Applying for a permit, second edition, May 2001 available at: http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/publications/chemicals/hazardous-waste/gdpermits01.html
For export of Used Lead Acid Batteries to non-OECD countries, please refer to the fact sheet Exports to Non-OECD countries at: http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/chemicals/hazardouswaste/publications.html#fact
Need further information?
For general enquiries on how to apply for a permit contact the Hazardous Waste Section, Department of the Environment and Heritage:
Ph: (02) 6274 1411; Fax: (02) 6274 1164; E-mail: hwa@environment.gov.au
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