Automotive and industrial batteries containing lead and sulfuric acid — regulated under federal universal-waste rules but exempt from full RCRA hazardous-waste handling.
## What is a lead-acid battery? A **lead-acid battery (LAB)** is the most-recycled product in the world — 99%+ recycling rate in the US. Standard car battery, golf-cart battery, forklift battery, telecom UPS battery. ## Why it's a special category - Contains **lead** (RCRA-listed) and **sulfuric acid** (corrosive). - Federal RCRA grants a **universal waste exemption** so handlers don't need a full hazardous-waste permit IF they follow specific storage and shipping rules. - Most states require a **lead-acid battery handling permit**. ## How WeighPay handles LABs WeighPay tags every battery transaction with the LAB material code, enforces the storage rules (covered, on impermeable surface, no commingling), and prints universal-waste manifests for shipment to a smelter.