Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal Regulations- Introduction and Environmental Impact

We live in a battery-driven society; almost all electronics cannot run without batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have higher performance, a higher power density, and higher battery life, and they charge faster than traditional batteries. For a fact, most people prefer using lithium-ion batteries for their home storage systems. Even though they have so many advantages, more concern is how hazardous they can become to the environment. 

According to research, lithium-ion batteries inevitably affect the environment by causing air contamination and soil pollution. This article will discuss: How can you recycle lithium-ion batteries? How should you dispose of lithium-ion batteries? What is the batteries' environmental impact? 

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Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Regulations

People are increasingly going for lithium-ion batteries as time goes by, making their demand grow so fast. Industries are using them in products of laptops, smartphones, vehicles, e.t.c. Yes, you can recycle lithium-ion batteries; however, the recycling process is wholly complicated. This is why most governments and federal states like the USA have never developed policies that guide the recycling of these batteries. The recycling rate of lithium-ion batteries is less than 5% currently. 

Manufacturers came up with three methods that people can use to recycle lithium-ion batteries. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. The methods are:

●Direct Recycling

●Pyrometallurgy

●Hydrometallurgy

Apart from these recycling methods, imposing regulations is the only way to control the future of lithium-ion battery recycling. Some nations may be lagging; however, each state needs to have proper legislation on recycling lithium-ion batteries in the future. 

Regulatory Frameworks

A study in ACS Energy Letters focused on lithium-ion battery recycling regulatory requirements focused only on three countries; China, The European Union, and the USA. According to this publication, the EU government has proposed frameworks for selling, designing, and using lithium-ion batteries to enable recycling. The EU regulations on recycling introduced "battery passports," ideally battery data that manufacturers should provide to the consumers. Battery data covers performance, durability, materials used, and the battery's environmental impact. 

There are no battery recycling regulations in the USA, as stated earlier. There are only two federal laws that the senate proposed for battery recycling. The Mercury-Containing and Battery Management Act requires companies to accept and recycle batteries. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act states the legal frameworks for the safe disposal of lithium-ion batteries. 

Several frameworks have been enacted to encourage the safe disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes in China. The growing demand for lithium-ion batteries has made China implement more measures to control the environmental impact of these batteries. Regulations in China also cover lithium-ion battery recycling in manufacturing and the battery management system. 

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Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal Environmental Impact

Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal

Did you know that disposing of lithium-ion batteries can cause global warming? If you were to throw a lithium-ion battery into a trash or compost pit today, it could decay and start leaking. Alternatively, the battery can also corrode and then produce chemicals that may affect the soil and water surfaces. There are so many aquatic plants and animals in the ecosystem that could be affected by these chemicals. Human beings may also be compromised when they take water from taps that are pumped underground. There is a possibility of ingesting harmful chemicals. 

Lithium-Ion Battery Environmental Impact

Lithium batteries can also cause fires that may affect the earth's surface over the years. The fires might result in many chemicals in the air that can affect the lungs. Vapor from improperly disposed of lithium-ion batteries is hazardous to the surrounding. The strong corrosive acids that form carcinogens can affect human eyes and skin, causing cancer infections. Carcinogens are toxic metals like nickel, mercury, lead, and cadmium found in batteries. These poisonous and corrosive metals are likely to cause medical issues like neurological damage and other human disabilities. 

Fortunately, battery manufacturers are working toward producing batteries that human beings can recycle and those which cannot pose threats to the environment. According to statistics, lead-acid batteries are 99% recyclable, while lithium-ion batteries are recycled below 5%. Lithium-ion batteries have a low recycling rate since they last a long time and have not been in the market for so long. Probably, lithium batteries will become recyclable once they reach their usable life and after their demand grows pretty well in the market. In addition to this criticism, the manufacturers have promised to do away with toxic heavy metals in the batteries that could be problematic and of great concern to environmental pollution. 

How to Dispose Of Lithium Car Batteries

From smartphones to laptops to car engines, batteries power so many electronics in today's era. Most electric vehicles run on lithium car batteries. Despite their good nature, they might be harmful, mainly when not correctly disposed of. Battery consumers dispose of billions of used lithium car batteries into the trash each year. Some governments have come up with strict regulations that guide the disposal of lithium car batteries. Today, people can recycle lithium car batteries, which is an excellent way of reducing the production of new materials. Altogether, the recycling process is costly and energy-intensive. 

Recycling of Lithium Car Batteries

Most of these car batteries are recycled in large plants after the battery is completely broken down into powder form. The manufacturer decides to either smelt the powder (pyrometallurgy) or dissolve the powder into an acid (hydrometallurgy). Heavy metals like cobalt which may be harmful to the environment, are also removed at this stage. Most lithium car batteries are said to be less critical after the shredding process. The world still has the task of finding out what to do with the dead and used car batteries. Scientific institutions need to address this issue because the rate at which lithium car batteries are growing is scary. 

In some regions, electronics dealers collect used batteries like those of cell phones and car batteries for safe recycling. So do not just drop anything into the bin! One thing for sure is that all certified battery electronic recyclers accept all types of batteries; it does not matter how long you have used them. As much as the world is yet to experience the real battery crisis, people need to start mastering the recycling technology as early as now.