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Lead Acid Batteries

Definition

Lead acid batteries are toxic, due to the heavy metals and are corrosive due to the acid contained inside.  Lead acid batteries are most commonly found at MSU in vehicles, other small equipment, and emergency backup systems. All lead acid batteries must be disposed of through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program.

Storage

Intact: Lead acid batteries are collected separately from other battery types by the EHS Hazardous Waste Program and will be picked up at the point of generation.  These batteries should not be taken to the EHS battery disposal locations as they do not fit in the disposal buckets due to their large size.  All lead acid batteries should have the terminals taped with non-conductive tape to prevent a reaction from occurring during transport.

Damaged: Lead acid batteries that are leaking should be placed in secondary containment.  Call the EHS Hazardous Waste Group immediately for pickup of leaking lead acid batteries as they are no longer Universal Waste and must be managed as hazardous waste.

MSU Waste Tag Required

No – A MSU Waste Tag is not needed when submitting intact lead acid batteries.

Yes  - A MSU Waste Tag is required for all damaged and leaking lead acid batteries as they are managed as hazardous waste.

MSU Waste Tags must be directly affixed to the waste container either with string, a twist tie, chain and clipboard, rubber band, or tape.  MSU Waste Tags are provided by EHS and can be requested through an EHS Hazardous Waste Request.

Labeling

Intact

For locations that collect multiple lead acid batteries prior to disposal with EHS, the container must be labeled “Universal Waste Batteries” and contain the accumulation start date.  The accumulation start date is the first day that you begin filling the container with batteries.  Alternatively, the EHS Hazardous Waste Program provides the following label for Universal Waste, which can be requested through the EHS Safety Portal:

**Insert photo of UW Label with Batteries checked and Accumulation Date highlighted.**

Damaged

A MSU Waste Tag should be filled out and completed when the lead acid battery is found to be damaged.  The contact information at the top of the MSU Waste Tag must be filled out to identify where the hazardous waste was generated, the container size and type, and who to contact with questions regarding the waste container.

The Contents should be “Damaged Lead Acid Battery” with the weight of the battery listed in the Volume column.  Check the corrosive and poison/toxic hazards at the bottom of the MSU Waste Tag. 

Guidance on how to accurately fill out the MSU Waste Tag can be found in the Waste Section of the EHS website located here.

Submit Hazardous Waste Request

If submitting individual lead acid batteries for disposal, or when the battery storage container is full or close to the 90-day accumulation limit, submit a Hazardous Waste Request via the EHS Safety Portal as follows:

  • EHS Website: ehs.msu.edu
  • Log in into the Safety Portal through a preferred web browser using your MSU Net ID and EBS Password
  • Select: Hazardous Waste Request
  • Lead Acid Batteries are found under the Common Process category

Waste