Lead-acid batteries power cars, solar systems, and backup energy across Africa — but when they die, they can become toxic waste. Lead-acid battery recycling helps recover valuable materials like lead, plastic, and acid, turning old batteries into reusable resources while protecting the environment.
Here are the Top 5 Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Companies in Africa, according to operational scale, recovery capacity, and publicly verified activities (Q4 2025):
— First Battery / Scrap Battery (South Africa): Operates one of South Africa’s largest battery recycling plants in Benoni. The facility recovers lead, plastic, and acid, and includes a lead smelter and a full effluent treatment system for safe processing.
— Go Green Electronic Recycling (South Africa): Handles responsible disposal and recycling of used lead-acid batteries. The company neutralises acid, separates materials, and recovers lead and plastic for reuse.
— BPL Nigeria Ltd (Nigeria): Runs a modern recycling operation that produces high purity lead ingots and lead oxides from spent batteries. Its output supports manufacturing and industrial applications.
— Green Recycling Industries (Nigeria): Collects and processes used batteries using automated systems that recover up to 99.5 percent of lead, including plastic casings and acid components.
— Recyclers Ghana Ltd (Gravita Ghana unit): Part of Gravita’s African operations. The company dismantles and refines used batteries to produce refined lead and lead alloys that meet industrial standards.
Africa’s lead-acid battery recycling sector is gaining strong momentum. These companies are showing how responsible waste management can support industry, protect communities, and strengthen the circular economy at the same time.
Image Credit: GME Recycling
