Among the base metals, lead is the only one where recycling contributes the majority of total refined output. Last year, secondary lead contributed 4.5m tonnes out of total refined production of 8.1m tonnes, according to the International Lead Zinc Study Group. This arises from the fact that lead batteries – by far the biggest end-use, consuming some 80% of annual production – have a finite life, even with recharging, and their recycling is reasonably simple to organise if the user takes the standby or automotive battery back to the supplier at the end of its life when a replacement is bought. Although lead battery recycling technology is well-established, this fact alone does not guarantee that the recycling is being handled in an environmentally sound manner, without risk to workers or the public. With the battery industry being so vital to lead, and with lead having a particularly high profile among...