BEST PRACTICES

Even when not required by regulations, the following best practices for lead acid batteries are recommended.

Lead-acid batteries that are damaged or missing a cap can leak acid. Battery acid can severely damage your eyes and skin, so personal protective equipment should be worn when handling batteries. More specifically, follow these guidelines:

1. Wear acid-resistant gloves and safety glasses;
2. Double-bag damaged batteries in polyethylene plastic bags that are at least 6-mm in thickness;
3. If you can replace a missing battery cap, do so immediately, otherwise consider a battery with a missing cap "damaged" and double-bag the battery in 6-mm polyethylene plastic bags.

1. Small quantities of lead-acid batteries should be stored in acid-resistant tubs; large quantities should be stored in an isolated area with no floor drains; and spent lead acid batteries should be stored indoors (or if outdoors, under a cover) and on an impervious surface.
2. Freezing temperatures may cause spent batteries' cases to crack.
3. Storage areas should be sealed with an acid-resistant material and have a containment berm.
4. Piles of lead-acid batteries that are being stored on pallets should not be stacked higher than three feet, and the piles should be covered and stored within an enclosed area. (Ideally, lead-acid batteries should be stored in a single layer because stacking increases the risk of short circuits and acid leaks.)

1. Keep the following supplies in your lead-acid battery storage area: acid-resistant gloves; a supply of polyethylene plastic bags (six millimetre or thicker, and sized to contain the largest battery expected); rags or disposable wipes for acid leak clean-up; appropriate absorbent for spill clean-up; and a weather-resistant pen or marker for marking used or damaged batteries with the date they were taken out of service.
2. It is also a good safety precaution to have an eyewash station in the area, or a sign indicating the location of the nearest eyewash.
3. Keep a supply of lime or baking soda on hand to neutralise acid spills.
4. If there is a battery acid spill: a) double-bag the leaking battery in 6 mm polyethylene plastic bags; b) clean the spilled battery acid with rags or disposable wipes and use appropriate absorbent; and c) manage the clean-up material as hazardous waste by placing it in an acid debris waste accumulation container. Clean-up debris would also contain lead and would have to be managed as such, not just as an acidic waste.

The batteries that you are recycling and their component parts will be classed as waste. In addition, all lead-acid motor vehicle batteries are classed as Hazardous Waste.

Battery recycling

Battery recycling is an important way forward in limiting the amount of wastes being sent to landfill or incineration. Batteries contain metals, which may be hazardous in nature.

Automotive batteries are routinely recycled in the UK: they are collected at garages, scrap metal facilities and many civic amenity and recycling centres. Check with your local authority if they accept lead-acid batteries.

In addition many local authorities are now collecting other types of batteries for recycling. All non-lead acid batteries can be recycled including both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries. Click on the link below for further information:

WRAP Batteries Programme

Let's Recycle Battery Recycling