Scoping: Uptake of Best Practices for Environmentally Sound Management of Spent Lead-Acid Batteries
Status: Active
Operational Plan: 2024
Project Duration: 12 months
Start date: December 2025
Spent lead-acid batteries (SLABs) are one of the largest sources of lead for industrial reuse in North America, but their recycling can release toxic emissions if not managed properly. Previous work by the CEC has helped identify levels of environmental and health protection, as well as regulatory frameworks across the region. In 2015 and 2016, respectively, the CEC published the technical guidelines reports Environmentally Sound Management of End-of-Life Batteries from Electric-Drive Vehicles in North America and Environmentally Sound Management of Spent Lead-Acid Batteries in North America (CEC-ESM Guidelines) to help establish regional best practices for safer recycling and worker protection.
This project will assess how those guidelines have been adopted across Canada, Mexico and the United States, and gather data on current SLAB management practices and actions taken to reduce lead emissions. The findings will provide insights into the long-term impact of past CEC initiatives and generate recommendations to improve the dissemination and uptake of ESM practices in the sector.
To find out more about this project, here is the complete project description.
Issues
- SLABs are a significant source of potential lead exposure for workers and communities.
- Regulatory frameworks and enforcement differ among North American countries.
- Informal and small-scale recycling activities in some communities increase risks and complicate alignment.
- A trinational approach is needed to strengthen environmental protection and integrate North American supply chains for battery manufacture and recycling.
Aim
To assess the implementation of the CEC Guidelines on environmentally sound management (ESM) of SLABs, document current practices and identify opportunities to enhance safe recycling operations through cooperation among governments, industry and civil society.
Deliverables
- Survey to assess the adoption of the CEC-ESM Guidelines and current SLAB management practices.
- Survey report documenting results, including levels of guideline uptake, common management practices and gaps.
- Recommendations on improving dissemination and adoption of ESM practices tailored to industry, regulators and other stakeholders.
- Dissemination package (summary brief and outreach materials) to share findings.
- Inputs for Phase II (if applicable): identification of follow-up activities or projects informed by survey findings and recommendations.
