Fact Sheet: Handling and Transport of Spent Lead-Acid Storage Batteries for Recycling

Revised: April 1991

Contact: Cal/EPA Access Library File Name: 102.FS

Related To: Title 22 Sections 66266.80 and 66266.81

Special Provisions

In order to encourage the recycling of spent lead-acid batteries, the Department of Health Services (Department) has developed special provisions for their management. These provisions apply to generators, transporters, and interim storage facility operators who manage more than ten batteries at any given time. A generator can be an operator of a retail store, auto repair shop, or service station. A transporter is a person who hauls or transports the batteries from one location to another. An interim storage facility operator is one who stores the batteries until they are transported to a battery breaker.

County and city household hazardous waste collection days will accept ten or fewer spent lead-acid batteries from homeowners. Retailers are required to accept spent lead-acid storage batteries (including damaged batteries) from a consumer in exchange for the purchase of a new battery. A retailer may also accept spent lead-acid batteries from a consumer even if the consumer is not purchasing a new battery. Small businesses and other generators should check the yellow pages for battery retailers or wholesalers who will accept more than ten spent lead-acid batteries.

The disposal of spent lead-acid batteries in landfills is not allowed, and drainage of the battery fluid (electrolyte) should not be attempted.

This fact sheet will outline the transport and storage requirements of spent lead-acid storage batteries as discussed in Sections 66266.80 and 66266.81, Title 22, of the California Code of Regulations.

Definitions

Spent Lead-Acid Battery

(For purposes of this document a "spent battery" and a "spent lead-acid storage battery" are the same.) California regulations define a spent lead-acid battery as any battery that is primarily composed of both lead and sulfuric acid, with a capacity of six volts or more, and that is equivalent in type to a car battery. This includes stationary batteries. Batteries can range in size from a motorcycle battery to a forklift battery.

Damaged Spent Lead-Acid Battery

A spent lead-acid battery is considered damaged if there is a possibility it could leak acid due to a crack, or if it is missing one or more caps.

Packaging of Damaged Spent Lead-Acid Batteries

Battery reclaimers have recommended that damaged batteries be stored and transported in two six millimeter polyethylene plastic bags. These batteries can be transferred along with intact spent batteries. If a cap is missing from a spent battery, it should be replaced.

Labels

Intact spent lead-acid batteries and properly contained damaged batteries must be marked with either the date the battery was taken out of service or the date it was received for transport/storage. The date must be written in a weather-resistant material such as ink or paint and be legible and conspicuous.

Handling and Transport

Storage

When storing spent lead-acid batteries, they must be protected so that short circuits are prevented and battery acid does not leak. A bill of lading or Hazardous Waste Manifest is to be retained for three years to record shipping.

Generating locations and interim storage locations may not exceed the following when storing spent lead-acid storage batteries:

more than a ton of spent lead-acid batteries for more than 180 days at one location, or

less than a ton for more than a year at one location

If these quantities or time periods are exceeded, the owner or operator must declare the site as a hazardous waste storage facility and follow the Department's hazardous waste requirements.

Transport

A transporter of spent lead-acid batteries must ensure that the batteries are loaded and braced properly so as to prevent any damage, leakage of lead dust or battery fluid, or short circuits. A bill of lading or Hazardous Waste Manifest is to accompany the shipment and must be retained for three years to record shipment.

Damaged batteries can be transported with intact batteries when properly contained.

For further information regarding the transport of spent lead-acid batteries, contact the U.S. Department of Transportation, Motor Carrier Safety Office:

Northern California
(916) 551-1300

Sacramento Southern California
(909) 653-2299
Marino Valley

Bill of Lading

A bill of lading may be used in lieu of a Hazardous Waste Manifest to record the transfer of spent lead-acid batteries for recycling. The bill of lading must be legible, identify the number of batteries, transporter's name and address, receiving location name and address, generator name and address, and the date. Copies of bills of lading must be retained by the generator, transporter, and storage location for at least three years.

Hazardous Waste Manifest

If a bill of lading is not used to record the transport of spent lead-acid batteries, a Hazardous Waste Manifest must be completed. To order Hazardous Waste Manifests, contact the Department of General Services at (916) 574-2200, or write to the

Department of General Services
Documents and Publications
P.O. Box 1015
North Highlands, CA 95660

If a manifest is used, full hazardous waste requirements must be met during transfer.

(Sample) Bill of Lading

Date:
Number of batteries:
Transporter's Name and Address:
Receiving Location's Name and Address:
Generator's Name and Address:
Keep Bill of Lading for three years

 

Recycling

All parts of spent lead-acid batteries are recyclable. Generally, batteries are collected by retailers and wholesalers who send large quantities to battery breakers for reclamation. Battery breakers are permitted hazardous waste treatment recycling facilities. If you have just a few batteries you should contact your local battery retailers or wholesalers. The following is a listing of the battery breakers in California:

GNB, Inc. Resource Recycling Division
2700 South Indiana Street
Los Angeles, CA 90023
(213) 262-1101
Contact: Ken Clark

Kinsbursky Brothers, Inc./Alkin Precious Metals, Inc.
1314 North Lemon Street
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714)738-8516
Contact: Todd Coy or Michael Margolies

RSR Quemetco, Inc.
720 South 7th Avenue
City of Industry, CA 91745
(800)527-9452
Contact: Danny Rosellini

The Department publishes an annual listing of commercial hazardous waste recyclers, which also includes facilities outside of California. To receive a copy of this publication, ask for a copy of the "Directory of Industrial Recyclers" by calling (916) 324-2423, or write to the:

California Waste Exchange Resource Recovery Unit
Hazardous Waste Management Program
Department of Toxic Substances Control
P.O. Box 806
Sacramento, CA 95812-0806

Further Information

This fact sheet is written to provide assistance on the management of spent lead-acid batteries. It does not replace the regulations. To obtain copies of the regulations and further information, write or call the Department's regional office nearest you:

Department of Toxic Substances Control
Region 1, Sacramento
10151 Croydon Way, Suite 3
Sacramento, CA 95827-2106
(916)255-3545

Department of Toxic Substances Control
Region 1, Fresno
Toxic Substances Control Program
1515 Tollhouse Road
Clovis, CA 93612
(209)297-3901

Department of Toxic Substances Control
Region 2, Berkeley
700 Heinz Avenue, Suite 200
Berkeley, CA 94710
(415)540-2122

Department of Toxic Substances Control
Region 3, Burbank
1011 North Grandview Avenue
Glendale, CA 91201
(818)551-2800

Department of Toxic Substances Control
Region 4, Long Beach
245 West Broadway, Room 425
Long Beach, CA 90802
(213)590-4868