Gopher Resource Introduces Cutting-Edge Circular Economy Video
Leading environmental solutions provider, Gopher Resource, is excited to share a new video illustrating the pivotal role their work plays in the circular economy of lead batteries. With a 99% recycling rate in the U.S., lead batteries are a powerful example of what’s possible when an entire industry commits to a zero-waste mindset.
“The Circular Economy of Lead Batteries” takes viewers along the lifecycle of a lead battery — from design and use to collection, recycling, and reuse. The video highlights how Gopher Resource’s advanced recycling processes recover valuable materials, turning used batteries into essential resources for manufacturing new batteries that are critical to our energy security and domestic resiliency. Watch the video:
The video, developed in conjunction with the Association of Battery Recyclers (ABR) and the International Lead Association (ILA), combines the use of a virtual studio with real-world manufacturing and recycling facility footage to bring the lifecycle of a lead battery to life in a way that captivates viewers and communicates the value of this renewal and reuse cycle.
Recycling Recovers Valuable Materials
Recycling is a key component in the circular economy, creating a steady supply of refined metals and reprocessed plastics that can be used to create new batteries. In fact, domestic manufacturers produce sustainable lead batteries containing approximately 80% recycled materials produced by recyclers like Gopher Resource.
Nearly every component of a lead battery can be recovered and reused, making a fully sustainable life cycle. The lead can be recycled and reused infinitely without any loss of quality or performance. Gopher Resource and other U.S. lead battery recyclers meet roughly 59% of the country’s demand for lead.
Plus, 100% of the plastic in battery casings is recyclable. Using recovered lead and plastic to produce new batteries helps preserve natural resources and requires 90% less energy than mining raw materials.
Each year, through its advanced recycling processes, Gopher Resource:
- Recycles over 23M lead batteries
- Recycles over 41M pounds of plastic
- Saves over 66M gallons of water
Learn more about how Gopher Resource recycles spent automotive batteries.
Recycling Powers Domestic Manufacturing and Essential Industries
Lead battery recycling is critical to ensuring that domestic manufacturers have the materials they need to produce new batteries — powering everything from transportation and logistics to renewable energy and telecommunications. By recovering and reprocessing lead and plastic, Gopher Resource helps maintain a stable, domestic supply chain and supports the infrastructure that keeps American industry moving forward.
In addition to environmental benefits, lead battery recycling is a powerful economic force, creating thousands of high-paying jobs. Gopher Resource provides more than 600 jobs at its recycling facilities in Minnesota and Florida. Each of these employees supports our mission to deliver clean, reliable, high-quality environmental solutions and contribute to a safer, cleaner world.
“We’re excited to use this video to tell our sustainability story to new and existing audiences,” said Ray Krantz, director of business development at Gopher Resource. “It clearly conveys Gopher Resource’s role in the circular economy of lead batteries, making it a valuable educational tool to share at trade shows and use as part of our employee recruitment strategy.”
Gopher Resource recently premiered the video at Recycled Materials Association (ReMA ) 2025, the industry’s largest event, as part of its strategy to highlight the company’s role in supplying sustainable materials for essential industries.
Lead batteries remain the best example of a circular economy. Responsible recyclers like Gopher Resource ensure the availability of critical materials for making new batteries. Their efforts minimize waste, conserve energy, reduce carbon emissions, and lessen our reliance on mining — all while supporting growing energy storage needs.