ECAR
Fact Sheet for Washington
Batteries
 
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The
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
Dangerous metals and acids are contained
within the battery's casing and pose no real risks while the battery
is in use. However, once the casing is broken or opened the dangerous
materials within can escape. Lead, mercury, cadmium and other elemental
metals that are disposed in municipal solid waste landfills or incinerators
do not disappear. They can end up in the water and soil around landfills,
and in incinerator air emissions or ash waste. Because of this,
lead-acid battery disposal is fully regulated as a hazardous
waste management activity.
When intact lead-acid batteries are
recycled, the handling requirements are relaxed, but the
batteries are still subject to limited hazardous waste regulations.
This fact sheet will tell you:
- How to determine whether spent
batteries should be considered a hazardous waste.
- What you need to do to handle
batteries in compliance with the rules that apply to you.
Regulations
In the state of Washington, spent lead-acid
batteries do not fall under EPA’s special "universal waste" designation.
That designation is reserved for other types of batteries. However,
Washington will give handlers of batteries a break from the demanding
hazardous waste regulations if spent lead-acid batteries are recycled
according to the requirements of the Dangerous Waste Regulations
at WAC
173-303-520.
It is illegal to dispose of lead-acid
batteries. If you plan to do anything other than recycle batteries,
you must manage them as hazardous
waste.
Storage. The following rules
apply to the management and storage of spent batteries:
- Test batteries to determine usability
or resale quality.
- If spent, remove lead cable ends
from batteries and store lead parts in a covered container that
is strong enough to hold the weight of the lead.
- Leave lead battery cable ends
attached to scrap batteries for recycling.
- Place cracked or leaking batteries
in a closed leak-proof storage container or on a curbed, impermeable
asphalt surface with spill controls. Battery acid
can degrade concrete.
- Store batteries indoors. If stored
outdoors, the area should be covered to keep rainwater
from collecting and causing runoff. Protect batteries from freezing.
Links to the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to battery
management.
Washington
Administrative Code Special Requirements for Handling Lead-Acid
Batteries
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.
- Are the batteries being recycled?
If so, follow the requirements of the Dangerous Waste Regulations
at WAC
173-303-520.
- 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.
- Review transportation records.
The hazardous waste manifest or bill of lading must accompany
the shipment and copies must be kept by the generator, transporter
and recycling facility for 3 years. It should include:
- date
- names and addresses of generator,
transporter and receiving location
- number of batteries transported
- damaged batteries are marked
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 Washington Department of Ecology Hazardous Waste and Toxics
Reduction Program at 360-407-6700.
- To report a spill or leak, call
1-800-258-5990.
- To report an environmental incident
or complaint, contact the nearest Ecology
Regional Office.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Hazardous
Waste
Other
Relevant Resources
- List of Washington Battery Recyclers
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