ECAR
Fact Sheet for Minnesota
Batteries

Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources
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following fact sheet was prepared by the ECAR Center staff. Once
prepared, each ECAR Center fact sheet undergoes a review process
with the applicable state environmental agency(ies). You can check
on the status of the review process here.
Please read the disclaimer on the status page. While we have tried
to present a summary of the essential information on this topic,
you should be aware that other items, such as local regulations,
may apply to you.
What You Need to Know
Used lead-acid batteries, which contain
lead and corrosive chemicals, pose very real pollution risks and
special handling problems at salvage yards. Improperly managed and
stored batteries are not only a safety hazard, but can pollute the
environment if they crack and leak, particularly when stored outdoors
and when subjected to freezing temperatures.
Regulations
If managed improperly, spent lead-acid
batteries (SLABs) may leak or spill and cause lead and/or acid contamination
of the soil and ground water. Persons who generate, collect or accumulate
spent lead-acid batteries are responsible for proper storage and
containment of leaks or spills.
Storage. Spent lead-acid batteries
(SLABs) may be store either indoors or outdoors. Indoors means in
a building having a roof and at least three walls which are permanently
attached to an impermeable floor which lies directly on the ground.
Semitrailors and sheds without floors do not qualify as indoors.
Indoor Storage. Store SLABs
on a non-reactive, curbed and impermeable surface. If your storage
area has a floor drain, place the batteries in a plastic tub or
other container that will provide adequate containment of a spill
or leak.
Outdoor Storage. In addition
to storing SLABs on a non-reactive, curbed and impermeable surface,
construct the outdoor storage area in a way that will prevent rain,
snow, and draining water from entering.
Inspecting Batteries. Inspect
batteries regularly for crack or leaks. SLABs stored outdoors have
a greater possibility of cracking and leaking due to freezing and
thawing, and should be inspected more often. Place cracked or leaking
batteries in an acid-resistant, leakproof, closed container.
Small spills and leaks may be neutralized
with lime, cement or another caustic. Contain the spill material
and manage it as a hazardous
waste.
Recycling and Record Keeping.
Recycle spent batteries by sending them to a reclaimer. Batteries
going to a reclaimer may be picked up by a battery hauler, a battery
supplier or transported by the generator. When transporting spent
lead-acid batteries, you do not need to use a hazardous waste manifest.
Persons who transport or reclaim spent lead-acid are subject to
additional requirements.
At least 75 percent of the batteries
you accumulate each year must be sent to a reclaimer. If you do
not recycle at least 75 percent of your batteries, you will be subject
to additional storage requirements.
Keep records to demonstrate that you
are recycling. See the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) fact
sheet on spent lead-acid batteries
for a sample log.
In Greater Minnesota, recycled SLABs
do not need to be reported on hazardous waste license applications.
If batteries are your only hazardous waste, you do not need a hazardous
waste generator license. However, many metropolitan areas require
that SLABs be reported also require a hazardous waste generator
license. Check with your county office.
Links to the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to battery
management.
Minnesota
Hazardous Waste Rules
Federal
EPA Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste
Self-Audit
Checklist
When an inspector comes to your facility,
there are certain things he or she checks to see if you are in compliance
with environmental regulations. It makes good sense for you to perform
a "self-audit" and catch and correct problems before they result
in penalties. Also, there are some compliance incentives associated
with self-audits (see Audit
Policy Page).
Use the following list to audit your
used battery storage areas and management procedures.
- All battery handlers are required
to manage the batteries and other solid waste generated from battery
activities according to specific parameters and procedures.
Verify that batteries are managed in a way that prevents releases
of any batteries or battery components to the environment. Verify
that batteries that show evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage
that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable condition
are stored in a container. Verify that containers are closed,
structurally sound, compatible with the contents of the battery,
and lack evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause
leakage.
- Are at least 75 percent batteries
being recycled? If you do not recycle at least 75 percent
of your batteries, you will be subject to additional storage requirements.
Best
Management Practices (BMPs)
Most regulations tell you what you
have to do to be in compliance, but they don’t explain how to do
it. That’s where "best management practices" come into play.
BMPs are proven methods that help you to get into compliance and
stay there. The following BMPs are recommended for battery storage
areas and management procedures.
- Use an authorized recycler.
- Indoor storage is recommended
for lead-acid batteries.
- Store batteries on an acid resistant
rack or tub.
- Batteries stored outside should
be stored on impermeable surfaces such as concrete and should
have secondary containment. Also, it is recommended that batteries
be covered to prevent acid run off.
- Keep a neutralizing agent, such
as baking soda, nearby in case of leaks or spills. If a spill
does occur, the waste must be treated as a hazardous
waste.
- When stacking batteries, make
sure they are stored so that any fluid from leaking batteries
will not be released into the environment.
- Electrolyte fluid in spent batteries
contains enough lead to qualify it as a hazardous waste. This
fluid, if discharged onto the ground, will likely make the soil
which absorbs it a hazardous waste. Remove batteries before crushing
any vehicles.
- Test batteries to determine usability
or resale quality.
- If lead-acid batteries are recharged
for resale, remove lead cable ends from batteries, store lead
parts in a covered container that is strong enough to hold the
weight of the lead and recycle the lead with a reputable recycler.
- If spent lead-acid batteries are
going to be recycled as scrap batteries, leave lead battery cable
ends attached to the scrap batteries.
- Check batteries for leaks, cracks,
etc. prior to storing.
- Place cracked or leaking batteries
in a closed, watertight, acid resistant storage container.
Contacts
For more information, contact
the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Regional Office
closest to you:
- Northeast Region (Duluth)
218-723-4660.
- North Central Region (Brainerd)
218-828-2492.
- Northwest Region (Detroit
Lakes) 218-847-1519
- Southwest Region (Marshall)
507-537-7146.
- Southeast Region (Rochester)
507-285-7343.
*Report petroleum and fuel spills
of five or more gallons, and any other chemical spill (including
lead-acid batteries) which may cause pollution, to the State Duty
Officer at 651-649-5451 or 1-800-422-0798.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Hazardous Waste
Other
Relevant Resources
- Lead-Acid Batteries Audit Checklist
- Lead-acid Batteries, Requirements for Generators [#4.06] (rev. 6/03)
- Battery Sign
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