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The challenges faced by battery recycling startups in the USA are:

• Battery recycling is time-consuming and expensive. Many traditional recycling processes require disassembling the batteries by hand, which is incredibly time-consuming and takes over 20 minutes per EV battery, as the energy packs made for electric vehicles have thousands of cells.
• Safety concerns are one of the primary areas of focus for the battery recycling industry. Li-ion batteries in their large format must comply with strict handling, storage, treatment, and disposal requirements as well as US Department of Transportation regulations. The rapid adoption of EVs has its own set of safety hurdles for transporting and recycling these technological marvels.
• There is a limited supply of end-of-life batteries, and there is not enough supply of end-of-life batteries in electric vehicle batteries to recycle valuable materials economically.
• Innovative recycling methods are developed with room for innovation, such as advanced sorting systems, innovative hydrometallurgical processes, and efficient smelting techniques for the effective and sustainable recovery of valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel from spent batteries. The method is challenging with significant investment in research and development.
• Collaboration with stakeholders such as manufacturers, auto recyclers, governments, and civil society partners needs to be identified properly. The engagement needs to be successful for a better position.

Battery recycling startups in the USA face several challenges, such as high costs, safety concerns, and a limited supply of end-of-life batteries, but as the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions increases, the innovation of such battery recycling technology tends to grow.

Source: businessinsider, electrek, recyclingstartups