Battery Recovery

The Responsible Battery Coalition works to recover spent lead-acid vehicle batteries across the country and ensure they are recycled as part of a closed-loop system, thereby allowing manufacturers and consumers to help create a circular economy for batteries that conserves resources and reduces the cost and environmental impact of sourcing new battery materials.

Today, more than 99% of lead-acid vehicle and equipment batteries are recycled, but the 1% that are not recycled represent approximately two million batteries that are abandoned or left in inoperable vehicles and equipment annually. To address this concern, RBC forms partnerships and seeks opportunities with manufacturers, industry organizations, community groups, indigenous tribes, and nonprofit entities to help communities recover spent batteries and bring their valuable components back into the supply chain.

Take the 2 Million Battery Challenge!

The latest automotive industry research shows that 12% of consumers still have a dead or unusable vehicle battery at home and not in the closed recycling loop. In an effort to bring those remaining vehicle batteries that sit in forgotten corners of garages or in inoperative vehicles back into the recycling loop, the Responsible Battery Coalition has launched the 2 Million Battery Challenge.

Find your local Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone or O'Reilley Auto Parts store today!

Did You Know?

Materials in vehicle batteries are the most recycled consumer product in the world. Compared to 55% aluminum cans, 45% newspaper, 26% tires, and 26% glass bottles, 99% of lead acid batteries are recycled.

26%

45%

55%

99%

Source: Spectrum Research – 2016 Regional Automotive Battery Research; numbers shown are annualized.

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Talks About The History and Vision of Backhaul Alaska at the RBC Board Meeting in 2023

Responsible Battery Coalition’s Work with Backhaul Alaska

For many residents of remote communities in Alaska, options for the safe disposal of a variety of potentially hazardous wastes does not exist. This reality led to development of the Backhaul Alaska program, a predominantly volunteer program designed to coordinate and facilitate the safe removal and recycling of electronic waste, such as computers, light bulbs, and spent lead acid vehicle and equipment batteries. Safe removal and recycling of these materials protects community land, water and residents from exposure to potentially harmful toxins. RBC has worked with BHA since 2018, with a specific focus on lead acid battery retrieval and recycling, and has supported grassroots volunteers, indigenous communities, and business leaders in the recovery and recycling of more than 140,000 pounds of spent batteries. (The program was suspended in 2021 due to COVID-19.)

RBC has partnered with BHA

RBC has partnered with BHA to provide financial, logistical, and recycling support for the program by funding education and training efforts, providing free hazardous materials packaging and shipping supplies, and arranging free barge and truck transport to secure, environmentally-sound battery recycling facilities. In addition, RBC pays the BHA program a “core fee” for each battery recycled, generating income back into the program to help further reduce operational costs.

Providing Real Results

Remote Communities Supported

26 Communities in Pilot Program
(2018 – 2021).
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40 Communities in 2022.
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Planned growth is to support 180 communities by 2030.

281k

Pounds of Materials Collected

Materials include electronic waste, lightbulbs, & batteries.

145k+

Pounds of Batteries Collected

Spent lead-acid vehicle and heavy equipment batteries.

“By joining forces with Backhaul Alaska, we are able to support retrieving batteries from the farthest reaches of Alaska, to ensure that they are recycled in an environmentally-sound manner, and thereby help protect the people and the environment of Alaska.”

Steve Christensen

Executive Director of the Responsible Battery Coalition

Get Involved!

Backhaul Alaska is a unique initiative that addresses a serious potential problem. If you have business operations or a personal interest in rural Alaska and are interested in helping fellow Alaskans, please consider donating.
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Donate

To become a partner of RBC, please contact us at:John (@) responsiblebatterycoalition.org.