6 ways C&D is creating better battery manufacturing processes for the planet
Celebrating Earth Day with sustainable battery technology
Earth Day 2025 is here. This year's theme, Our Power, Our Planet™, supports their goal to triple global electricity generation from renewable sources.
At C&D Technologies, Earth Day is more than just a day. It reflects our year-round commitment to innovation in eco-friendly energy solutions. For 100 years, we’ve been creating efficient power solutions. More recently, we are implementing practices to reduce carbon emissions. Sustainability is a core priority for C&D. As we celebrate Earth Day 2025, it’s a great time to reflect on reducing our environmental impact and helping our customers and partners do the same.
Greener operations for sustainable battery technology
C&D is committed to creating eco-friendly energy storage solutions using state-of-the-art, environmentally manufacturing processes and advanced green practices. Our approach includes improving our operations, implementing comprehensive battery recycling programs, and more.
1) We target closed-loop lifecycles for lead acid batteries
As battery manufacturers, we aim for a closed-loop lifecycle for lead-acid batteries.
Closed-loop battery recycling is a green method. It processes used batteries to recover and reuse their materials. This approach reduces the need for new raw materials, reduces our waste streams, and lessens our environmental impact.
C&D uses up to 80% reclaimed materials to manufacture our lead acid batteries. After the battery life is over, they are 99% recyclable. In 2024, our sustainability milestones included:
Recycling more than 122 million pounds of spent lead acid batteries
Manufacturing new batteries with 81 million pounds of reclaimed lead
Recycling over 3.7 million pounds of plastic from spent lead acid batteries
2) We build partnerships with select and sustainable suppliers
C&D takes an end-to-end view of our environmental responsibility. We partner with licensed hazardous materials carriers to collect industrial batteries from our customers.
These carriers run world-class facilities with approved EPA RCRA Part B permits. They use the latest battery dismantling and separating technologies for production and environmental controls.
3) We reduce our CO2e emissions
C&D Technologies sets annual targets to reduce CO2e emissions from our operations. A number of initiatives are underway to hit those targets, as well as conserve energy. In 2024, we reduced CO2e per battery unit produced by 2.1%. Since 2020, C&D Technologies locations in North America have reduced emissions by 51% for each battery made.
4) We reduce our water consumption
Another goal for C&D operations is to reduce water consumption in all facilities. In 2024, we reduced water consumption—per battery unit produced—by 6.1%.
5) We align with third-party programs
C&D Technologies is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Better Plants program. Better Plants "helps industrial organizations set and meet ambitious energy, water, waste, and carbon emission reduction targets." C&D has pledged to reduce energy use in our U.S. factories by 25% over the next 10 years.
The DOE is providing our business with technical support, recognition, and additional resources to achieve this goal. C&D is also following The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, developed by the United Nations. We have committed to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included in the agenda.
6) We support data centers and other organizations in achieving their sustainability goals
C&D standby batteries for data centers are the safe and sustainable choice. Our pure lead UPS batteries reduce cooling energy costs because they are designed to run at a higher ambient temperature of 86º Fahrenheit (30º Celsius) than traditional VRLA batteries. Running your data center at a higher temperature saves money on cooling costs and helps you achieve your sustainability goals. Our lead acid batteries are also 98% recyclable.
Lower impact and better outcomes
C&D’s approach to sustainability is 360°. We start with sustainable battery design and product development. We build green practices into our day-to-day operations. Then, at the end we recycle, and the process begins again. Together, we have the power to turn the vision of Our Power, Our Planet into action—today and every day.