A large amount of lead-containing heavy metal waste is generated during the production of primary and secondary Lead, Zinc, and Copper. If they are not effectively recycled and safely disposed of, it can result in resource wastage and significant environmental risks. In many countries, the comprehensive recycling of lead-containing waste faces issues such as low recycling rates, high operation costs, and secondary pollution. Various smelting processes have been explored to address the challenges of industrial competition and increasing regulatory pressure to enhance recovery rates and minimise environmental impact. For instance, the OSBF process has been proven effective for smelters, improving efficiency while reducing emissions. With the anticipated shortage of ULABs (Used Lead-Acid Batteries) and the rising value of recovered metals, improving production efficiency and total value of final products has become a priority, especially in China. Stricter environmental regulations require smelters to adopt advanced technologies capable of treating a variety of lead-containing materials simultaneously, reducing hazardous waste discharge, and implementing safer disposal methods. By analysing and comparing secondary lead smelting processes globally—focusing on energy consumption, process efficiency, and environmental compliance — economical and effective, low-carbon and environmentally friendly solutions can be developed to help smelters with different production capacities and raw material composition. However, the feasibility of such investments depends on regional regulatory frameworks and the specific conditions of secondary lead markets, necessitating further assessment.