What’s with EV battery recycling?

The topic of recycling appeals to the masses. Creation and innovation are a never-ending cycle, and so is the waste generated from these innovative concepts.
However, it is curious to note that EV batteries also need extensive recycling. While the slogan of EV batteries promotes a green future and sustainability with reduced emissions, the problem arises when the battery is completely used up.
A generation of us has grown up with batteries, from older models to coin-cell batteries to smartphone batteries. As the use of these slimmer, less chargeable but more powerful batteries increases, so does the concern over what happens when these powerful batteries are near the end of their lifespan.
How do we handle batteries once they are depleted? How do we manage the pile of used and discarded batteries?

What are EV recycling batteries?

The EV recycling batteries are known as secondary battery recycling, which refers to the process of collecting and processing discarded EV batteries to recover valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite.

EV battery recycling is mainly important for recovering the materials that are possible for reducing waste and also the need for primary mining and mitigating the environmental and social impacts associated with extracting and processing these recovered materials.

Why is EV battery recycling important?

Let’s look at the important reasons needed for EV batteries to be recycled for a better future effect:-

1. Material conservation by recycling EV batteries. It supports reducing greenhouse gas emissions from primary mining and also mitigating the social impacts of mining, such as human rights abuses and environmental degradation.
2. Closed-loop supply chain supports the materials to continuously cycle back into the production of new batteries, reducing the need for primary materials and minimizing waste.
3. Cost savings by recovering valuable materials and also making them more competitive with traditional battery manufacturers.
4. Sustainable energy storage grows by recycling EV batteries to ensure a sustainable supply of materials, enabling widespread adoption of renewable energy sources.

What if we don’t recycle the EV batteries? What will happen? Have you ever thought about the consequences and the environmental impact due to not actively thinking and finding the answer to the problem of not recycling EV batteries?

The potential environmental impacts include:

1. Depletion of natural resources due to the need for the massive amount of energy and water in the primary production of lithium, cobalt, and nickel. And if left unnoticed without any precautionary steps, it can lead to the destruction of ecosystems and habitats.
2. Greenhouse gas emissions leading to climate change due to the extraction and processing of primary materials for EV batteries.
3. Water pollution due to the mining and processing of primary materials harms ecosystems and human health.
4. Land degradation due to the mining and processing of primary materials leading to deforestation and soil erosion.
5. Waste generation due to the discarded EV batteries that cannot be recycled and end up in landfills, contributing to waste generation and potentially impacting environmental hazards.
6. Toxicity due to toxic materials in the EV batteries such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. It also leaches into the environment and contaminates soil, water, and air.
7. Loss of biodiversity, such as natural habitats, is destroyed and ecosystems are disrupted due to the mining and processing of primary materials.
8. Social impacts due to the mining and processing of primary materials include human rights abuses, displacement of communities, and labor exploitation.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) found that only 10% of EV batteries will be recycled by 2030. The environmental impacts due to not recycling EV batteries are:

• IEA noted that recycling capacity is expected to grow but challenges are crucial. The project also emphasizes that global recycling capacity could exceed 1.500 GWh by 2030, with significant contributions from China, Europe, and the United States.
• The IEA also emphasizes that the increased recycling efforts lead to the demand for raw materials, and the association with environmental impacts can be substantial. The increased CO2 emissions lead to water usage, e-waste, and also the release of toxic materials.

As per a study by the US EPA, the guidelines emphasize that improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries leads to significant environmental issues, such as the release of toxic materials and increased e-waste. The concerns are general about CO2 emissions, e-waste, and toxic materials with the EPA’s broader environmental impact assessments.

As per a study by the Human Rights Watch for cobalt mining in the DRC, it led to the conclusion:

• Water pollution is affecting over 1 million people.
• Soil contamination is affecting agricultural land.
• Labor exploitation and human rights abuses.

Which companies are actively participating in EV recycling batteries?

1. Li-Cycle: One of the Canadian companies developing a lithium-ion battery recycling technology to recover up to 905 of the materials in a battery.
2. Redwood Materials: One of the US-based companies is focused on developing a lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Nevada, recovering lithium, cobalt, and nickel from discarded batteries.
3. Retriev Technologies: One of the US-based companies is developing a lithium-ion battery recycling technology to recover up to 95% of the materials in a battery.
4. Umicore: A Belgian company developing a lithium-ion battery recycling technology to recover up to 95% of the materials in a battery.
5. Glencore: One of the Swiss-based mining companies that invested in a lithium-ion battery recycling facility in the UK.

Which automotive companies are involved in recycling electric vehicle batteries on the market?

1. Tesla: Tesla has a battery recycling program, but it is not directly linked to its Supercharger network. Tesla partners with various recycling companies to recover materials from its batteries, aiming for high recovery rates, but specific percentages are not publicly detailed.
2. Volkswagen: Volkswagen has partnered with Umicore for battery recycling. They have ambitious plans to recycle a significant number of EV batteries, aiming to recycle up to 97% of battery materials by 2030.
3. BMW: BMW has partnered with Umicore and Li-Cycle for battery recycling. BMW aims to recycle 100% of its EV batteries by 2030.
4. Daimler (Mercedes-Benz): Daimler has partnered with Umicore for battery recycling. They aim to recycle 100% of their EV batteries by 2030.
5. Volvo: Volvo has partnered with Northvolt for battery recycling. Volvo aims to recycle 100% of its EV batteries by 2030.
6. Nissan: Nissan has partnered with Sumitomo Corporation for battery recycling. They aim to recycle 100% of their EV batteries by 2030.
7. Hyundai/Kia: Hyundai and Kia have partnered with EcoPro BM for battery recycling. Specific targets for 2030 are not widely reported, but they are actively working on improving their recycling processes.
8. Ford: Ford has partnered with Redwood Materials for battery recycling. Ford aims to recycle 100% of its EV batteries by 2030.
9. General Motors (GM): GM has partnered with Li-Cycle for battery recycling. GM aims to recycle 100% of its EV batteries by 2030.
10. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA): FCA, now part of Stellantis, has partnered with various companies for battery recycling, including ERG. Specific targets for 2030 are not widely reported.

Which countries are promoting EV battery recycling?

1. The European Union set a target of recycling 100% of its EV batteries by 2030 and established a framework for the safe and efficient recycling of EV batteries.
2. China also set a target of recycling 50% of its EV batteries by 2025 and established several policies and regulations for supporting the development of the EV battery recycling industry.
3. The United States set a target for recycling 25% of its EV batteries by 2025 and established several policies and regulations for supporting the development of the EV battery recycling industry.
4. South Korea set a target for recycling 30% of its EV batteries by 2025. Several policies and regulations have been established to support the development of the EV battery recycling industry.
5. EU battery regulations are set out for the requirement of safe and efficient recycling of EV batteries.
6. China’s circular economy promotion law sets out the requirement for the recycling of EV batteries and other materials.
7. The US’s Battery Recycling Act sets out the requirements for the recycling of EV batteries and other materials.
8. The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) established several guidelines for responsibly recycling EV batteries.

In conclusion, recycling EV batteries is a pivotal element in the shift towards a sustainable energy future. The swift proliferation of electric vehicles is projected to result in a substantial surge in discarded batteries, presenting both environmental and economic challenges.

Recycling these batteries aids in preserving finite natural resources, curbing greenhouse gas emissions associated with primary resource extraction, and alleviating the social ramifications of mining, including human rights violations and environmental devastation.

Sources:- iea, Bloomberg, The Economist, Greenbiz, Sierra club