16. Toxicity and Recycling of Lead-Acid Batteries: A Model for the Circular Economy

The overuse of batteries, particularly lead-acid and mercury types, is highly toxic, posing severe risks to health and the environment. Lead-acid batteries, widely used in vehicles and industries, contain hazardous materials like lead, which contaminates soil and water if improperly disposed. Despite this, they offer an effective recycling system, making them a model for circular economy practices, as 99% of these batteries are recycled. In contrast, mercury batteries present even greater environmental risks. Enhanced mining and recycling techniques can help reduce lead toxicity, with regenerated lead reducing environmental impact by nearly 70% (Chen et al., 2017).