The acceleration of new technology and production of new, battery-driven devices has caused a steep increase in the manufacturing of lithium batteries.
Battery disposal has long been a topic of environmental concern around the globe with limited options for disposal, but recent advancements in battery recycling capabilities have paved the way for an environmentally responsible option for lithium battery disposal. Find out more about how this trend is gaining traction, and what your business can do to become part of the movement.
Lithium batteries: Why the hype?
Lithium-ion batteries first appeared in the early 1990s, and are now used in everything from mobile phones and toys to portable chargers and electric vehicles. The demand for lithium-ion batteries has increased exponentially, from just .5 gigawatt hours in 2010 to 526 gigawatt hours in 2020. This demand is expected to continue to grow in leaps and bounds over the next few decades as technology manufacturing expands.
Lithium batteries are made from lithium ions, as well as nickel, manganese and cobalt. Together, these materials help convert electrical energy into chemical energy. Compared to traditional batteries such as a lead acid battery, lithium-ion batteries are smaller and lighter, charge faster, last longer, and have greater power density.
These attributes make lithium-ion batteries a popular choice for a wide range of applications. If not properly recycled, however, these batteries could become potentially damaging to our health and the environment.
Potential harms of the battery boom
This spike in demand for lithium-ion batteries has mines across the globe scrambling to meet production deadlines. And, creating new mines creates concerning environmental issues such as a strain on local water resources and pollution from runoff.
The rise in use of lithium-ion batteries has also caused some confusion around when and how to responsibly dispose of these small but powerful energy conductors. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lithium-ion batteries and devices should never be tossed in the trash can. Not only would trash disposal be a waste of limited-resource minerals such as cobalt, graphite and lithium, but these batteries could create a fire hazard if they’re damaged or crushed during transportation via trash disposal or recycling. This can also occur in shipping if the sender doesn’t take the proper precautions.
Contrary to what some believe, there is in fact a proper way to dispose of these batteries: A certified electronics recycler. And, recycling existing batteries is a sustainable way to support the increasing demand on the global energy system.
How to recycle lithium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries should be recycled at certified electronics recycling centers that are experts in how to safely and carefully handle these specific types of batteries. Luckily, more and more recyclers are stepping up to take charge of responsibly recycling lithium-ion batteries.
Recycled lithium-ion batteries can be recharged and reused, or the materials can be taken apart and recycled to make new batteries as part of a circular economy. In fact, recent improvements in battery recycling have shown that recycled lithium-ion batteries can even perform better than the original batteries.
It’s important to note that businesses are held to a different environmental standard than households when it comes to potentially hazardous waste. The EPA urges businesses to handle potentially hazardous waste such as lithium-ion batteries under federal “universal waste” regulations. These regulations include specific requirements for businesses that generate certain types of common hazardous waste, but recommends that all businesses send their waste to a certified recycler whenever possible.
Simply put: Recycling lithium-ion batteries responsibly is not only much better for the environment, but also helps you avoid legal liability of potentially hazardous waste. If your business needs help with recycling lithium-ion or other types of batteries found in your electronic devices, contact us today.
Read More:
Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries: Here is What You Should Know
Watch: Battery Disposal Starts With Getting Packaging Right
A Growing Challenge: How to Responsibly Ship Batteries for Recycling
