Mexico is the key recycling destination of US used batteries, reveals CEC

NEW YORK (Scrap Monster) :  The recent study report by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) reveals that a lion’s share of spent lead-acid batteries (SLABs) recycled in Mexico come from the USA.

The report indicates that almost 30% to 60% of the SLABs recycled in Mexico come from the US.As per statistics, US exported 342 187 tonnes of SLABs to Mexico during the year 2011.Nearly 68% of the US exports were targeted to Mexico. The US exports of SLABs during the period 2004 to 2011 surged by over 500%.

The lead emissions standards of US recycling plants are ten times stricter than Mexico, which remains the only reason for the increased trade between borders. The plants in US have most modern technologies installed which ensure that the toxic emissions out of them will be minimal. The recycling facilities in Mexico are equipped with far inferior pollution controls than in the U.S.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2008 decided to tighten standards for airborne lead particles. The allowable standards of lead concentrations were cut to a tenth of the previous standard. The US still continues to follow the same standard even today. It has not altered the 2008 standard.

Health activists indicate that exposure to Lead can lead to a series of illness including kidney disorders and neurological issues. Lead particles can escape from recycling plants in exhaust gases, dust emissions and in water discharges.