Where should energy storage batteries be disposed?

Due to these potential issues, disposal should only take place at dedicated waste management centres and in many cases are subject to standards or regulations relating to disposal of dangerous goods. The popularity and cost effectiveness of energy storage battery recycling depends on the battery chemistry.

Can energy storage batteries be recycled?

The popularity and cost effectiveness of energy storage battery recycling depends on the battery chemistry. Lead-acid batteries, being eclipsed in new installations by lithium-ion but still a major component of existing energy storage systems, were the first battery to be recycled in 1912.

Should lithium-ion batteries be recycled?

Support for lithium-ion recycling in the present day is little better than that for disposal — in the EU, fewer than 5% of lithium-ion batteries for any application are recycled. Companies such as Tesla are investing in battery recycling programs, but worldwide the efforts fall far short of the mark.

What happens if a battery is wrongly disposed of?

Depending on the type of battery involved, incorrect disposal can cause a series of effects. Toxic chemicals can leak, making their way into water supplies and animal food chains. The tough battery components made to withstand these chemicals are clearly non-biodegradable, and in some cases, a battery wrongly disposed of can even explode.

Is battery recycling a good idea?

Companies such as Tesla are investing in battery recycling programs, but worldwide the efforts fall far short of the mark. While valuable cobalt is profitable to recover, lithium, one of the most volatile components within the battery itself, is currently cheaper to mine than to recycle.