Cleaner production options for lead-acid battery manufacturing industry

Various demonstration projects conducted around the world have indicated that the cleaner production approach is more beneficial than the end-of-pipe type solutions. This study demonstrates how cleaner production can be applied to the lead-acid battery manufacturing industry, with focus on reduction/prevention of lead wastes. Various cleaner production options are discussed in relation to their technical and environmental feasibility. The effectiveness of good housekeeping practices, changing manufacturing processes, better process control and on-site recycling of waste generated are discussed. On-site recycling of scrap plates was found to provide 49% reduction in the quantity of lead waste generated demonstrating that cleaner production does not necessarily need extensive changes in present practices.