Why Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Is Important & What You Can Do About It

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are everywhere. Chances are you’ve used one today.

From smartphones and laptops to e-bikes, electric toothbrushes, and solar backup systems, Li-ion batteries power many of the rechargeable devices we rely on every day. (They’ve become an essential part of modern life!)

And as the world moves towards net-zero carbon emissions, the number of products using Li-ion batteries is only set to grow. These batteries are also the heart of electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), which are increasingly used to power homes, businesses, and even entire electricity grids.

Fun Fact: According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electric vehicle sales reached 14 million in 2023, accounting for 18% of all cars sold. Early estimates for 2024 suggest that more than one in five new cars sold worldwide will be electric.

But with so many Li-ion batteries in circulation, it begs the question, ‘what happens to them all at the end-of-life stage?’

Here, Dave Roberts, UK MD at energy storage specialist GivEnergy, explains ‘why’ recycling Li-ion batteries is important, and ‘what’ you can do to play your part.

What Exactly Are Lithium-Ion Batteries?

To answer this question, we need to understand the battery chemistry of Li-ion batteries. So, let’s get technical for a moment.

Many lithium-ion batteries, or Li-ion batteries for short, use nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery chemistry.

The advantages of NMC? High energy density. That means a lot of energy can be stored in a relatively compact space. (No wonder they’re used in so many portable rechargeable devices!)

However, producing NMC batteries comes at a cost.

Here are some of the downsides:

• Mining nickel and cobalt is a carbon-intensive process.
• Mining of cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been linked to unethical and exploitative working conditions, including the use of child labour.
• Nickel and cobalt are only found in certain parts of the world. This means supply chains can be heavily dependent on imports from abroad.

So, what are the alternatives?

While NMC battery (a combination of Nickel, Manganese, and Cobalt) brings plenty of advantages and disadvantages, another type of Li-ion battery is slowly becoming the battery of choice for manufacturers.

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries offer lower energy density compared with NMC.

However, LiFePO4 batteries are far less likely to catch fire, making them the safer option.

(Those news stories you’ve read about smartphones, laptops, e-scooters bursting into flames? You can thank NMC batteries for that.)

Fun Fact: Data from Fastmarkets suggests the proportion of LiFePO4 batteries used in all electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and consumer electronics is set to rise from 29% in 2023 to 48% in 2033.

Meanwhile, the proportion of NMC batteries is set to decline from 50% to 43% over the same period!

Another reason why lithium-ion batteries are on the rise is energy storage systems!

The International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests battery storage – including grid-scale batteries and home batteries – will overtake pumped hydro storage as the largest form of energy storage worldwide.

Between 2023-2030, grid-scale battery storage and home battery storage are estimated to increase from 54GW to 1,001GW and 33GW to 203GW, respectively.

With battery storage, the household can store energy generated from solar panels during the day to use later when they really need it.

But more battery storage systems mean more lithium-ion batteries!

Summary: A lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses to power a whole range of rechargeable devices. From smartphones to electric vehicles, vapes to energy storage systems, chances are you’ve used a Li-ion battery device already today.

Why Is It So Important To Recycle Lithium-Ion Batteries?

Battery recycling is important for both environmental and economic reasons. While LiFePO4 batteries can be manufactured more sustainably than NMC batteries. Don’t for one moment think this means recycling LiFePO4 batteries isn’t important!

Recycling ALL types of lithium-ion batteries is crucial for a sustainable future. By recycling used batteries, the valuable raw materials can be extracted and put to reuse. In turn, this will:

• Reduce the need for mining, helping to reduce carbon emissions.
• Lessen the risk of using raw materials linked to exploitative mining practices.
• Stabilise countries’ supply chains by importing fewer raw materials from abroad.

The rise of lithium-ion battery recycling!

Given the growth in Li-ion batteries, it’s not surprising that the government, industry, and others are taking the issue of battery recycling seriously. Statista suggests the global Li-ion battery recycling market will grow from 3.54 million in 2023 to 23.96 million in 2033.

And, there’s even more reason to be optimistic! The ACROBAT consortium has developed eco-friendly processes and separation techniques for end-of-life LiFePO4 batteries. The process means more than 90% of critical raw materials contained within LiFePO4 batteries (lithium, phosphorus, graphite, etc.) could be recycled by 2030.

Li-ion battery recycling is important for the environment, important for supporting ethical work practices, and important for the economy.

Summary: Recycling lithium-ion batteries is important for conserving resources and protecting our environment. Extracting valuable materials from used batteries reduces reliance on harmful mining practices and lowers carbon emissions. Also, recycling strengthens supply chains by decreasing dependence on foreign raw materials.

How Can You Recycle Your Lithium-Ion Batteries?

At this point, you may be wondering: What does all this have to do with me?

Think of it like this: You probably already have a number of Li-ion battery devices in your possession – smartphone, laptop, E-cigarette, maybe an E-scooter, etc.

As a consumer, you’re the first line of defence when it comes to Li-ion battery recycling. When your product's batteries come to the end-of-life stage, you need to know what to do with them.

Here are a few basic tips that apply to the recycling of ALL batteries (Li-ion, alkaline, lead acid, etc.)

1. ALWAYS treat batteries as hazardous waste.
2. NEVER put batteries in your regular trash or curbside recycling bin. When crushed in garbage trucks, Li-ion batteries can explode, causing massive fires in waste facilities.
3. ALWAYS dispose of batteries through designated battery recycling schemes.

Warning: Keep all lithium batteries out of the trash and out of your household recycling as they can cause fires and even explode if managed incorrectly.

It’s also worth mentioning that not all battery schemes accept Li-ion batteries from portable devices. In this case, here’s what the U.S. Department of Energy says:

Removable batteries should be brought to one of the following:

• Certified electronics recyclers
• Retailers that provide electronics takeback services
• Specialised battery recyclers
• Local household hazardous waste collection programs

Meanwhile, for non-removable batteries, entire devices should be taken to one of the following:

• Certified electronics recyclers
• Participating retailers that provide electronics takeback services
• Local electronics or household hazardous

Again, it’s ALWAYS a good idea to do your research beforehand to see what’s available in your local area.

What about bigger lithium-ion batteries?

We’re talking EVs and BESS.

Let’s go through them both one by one.

Electric Vehicle (EV): If your EV battery is getting to its end-of-life stage, contact your local manufacturer’s garage to find out what to do next.

In some parts of the world, EV manufacturers are legally obliged to recycle the batteries in their vehicles. This is true in the European Union thanks to Article R543-130 of the Environment Code.

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): At the end-of-life stage, users would be advised to contact their manufacturer to know what to do next.

To find a location near you, go to Call2RecycleVT or call 1- 855-63-CYCLE

Summary: Regardless of where you are in the world, chances are that regulations already exist regarding the disposal of batteries. As with all other battery types, you should only dispose of Li-ion batteries through designated hazardous waste channels. This will usually be through a local hazardous waste or battery recycling program.

Quick Takeaway

As we accelerate toward a net-zero future, lithium-ion batteries are no longer just a luxury; they are the foundational infrastructure of our world. From the smartphone in your hand to the electric vehicle in your driveway and the energy storage systems powering our grids, this technology is the engine of the green revolution.

However, for this revolution to be truly sustainable, recycling ALL lithium-ion batteries must be a non-negotiable priority. We cannot build a clean future on a foundation of waste and exploitative mining.

As a consumer, don’t forget to play your part. Make sure you know what to do with all those Li-ion battery devices at the end-of-life stage and take responsibility to ensure they are disposed of and recycled properly.

Frequently Asked Questions Related To Recycling Lithium-Ion Battery:

Question #1: Why is recycling lithium-ion batteries important?

Answer: Recycling lithium-ion batteries conserves valuable resources like lithium, cobalt, and nickel from old batteries and puts them to use again. In turn, this will reduce the need for mining new materials, helping to reduce carbon emissions and money spent on raw materials.

Question #2: What happens if I don't recycle lithium-ion batteries?

Answer: There are two main consequences of not recycling lithium-ion batteries. First, landfills may not be equipped to safely handle lithium-ion batteries, leading to the potential of hazardous materials leaking into the soil and groundwater. Second, by not recycling, we lose valuable resources that can be used to create new batteries. This increases our dependence on mining virgin materials.

Question #3: How to recycle lithium-ion batteries?

Answer: As with all other battery types, you should only dispose of Li-ion batteries through designated hazardous waste channels. This will usually be through a local hazardous waste or battery recycling program. Additionally, you can also check with your local electronics retailer or municipality to find out where you can recycle your batteries.

Question #4: What exactly is lithium-ion batteries?

Answer: In simple terms, lithium-ion batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that uses lithium ions to store and deliver electrical energy. They are ideal for portable devices and electric vehicles due to their ability to store a lot of energy in a small space.