Lithium Battery Recycling and Disposal

Introduction

Lithium batteries are widely used nowadays. Though the experiments with lithium batteries were first conducted in 1912, the technology was not commercialized until the 1970s when they first hit the markets as lithium-ion batteries.

The invention of lithium polymer batteries in the late 90s paved the way for their wider usage. These batteries became popular as they could be shaped to fit into various devices, including mobile phones.

Lithium-ion batteries have gained wide acceptance due to their unique qualities. They offer the highest energy density and a large charge cycle. Additionally, they do not experience any memory effect, allowing users to recharge them whenever they want. These qualities have made them the most preferred batteries for many portable applications.

As the world started moving away from fossil fuels, lithium-ion batteries have become increasingly popular as one of the dominant energy storage technologies.

Widespread Usage

According to projections by McKinsey & Company, global demand for lithium-ion batteries is expected to increase sevenfold between 2022 and 2030, reaching 4.7 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030. In 2023, China, which has a stranglehold over the lithium-ion battery market, produced over 940 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of lithium-ion batteries.

These statistics highlight how the popularity of these batteries will skyrocket in the coming decades. The growing popularity of electric cars, which heavily rely on lithium-ion batteries, is expected to drive this trend.

However, the extensive use of lithium-ion batteries contributed to the e-waste problem. These batteries, when discarded, become ignitable and reactive hazardous wastes, necessitating their safe disposal. And, while disposing off lithium batteries, we need to consider sustainability issues such as recycling, which contributes to resource conservation. The used lithium-ion batteries contain metals like Nickel and Cobalt, which could be safely recovered through recycling. However, over 90 percent of the batteries are dumped in landfills, causing environmental pollution. The worrying thing is that this problem doesn’t show any signs of abating. As the battery producers are not prioritising lithium battery recycling capabilities during the manufacturing process, the batteries are not widely recycled. This creates a vicious circle that has the potential to spiral out of control.

Dangers of Lithium Batteries

Recycling is not the only reason to consider proper lithium-ion battery disposal, as they also pose risks to people and the environment.

Even when a lithium battery appears to be ‘dead’, it still maintains around 80% of its thermal capacity. This means that they are still highly combustible, no matter how small the battery may be. If a battery is damaged or smashed, it may leak some of its fluid. On top of this, a damaged battery insulation cover could trigger a dramatic increase in temperature which may end up causing fires and explosions.

Lithium batteries pose more than just a combustion risk. The fluids within the batteries are highly toxic, which can cause major health problems for people. If ingested directly, which is quite common among small children, it could result in vocal cord paralysis or even, in severe cases, death. If people aren’t careful while disposing of lithium batteries, they may pollute water resources, especially potable water.

How to Dispose of Lithium Batteries?

When it comes to disposing of lithium batteries, we need to treat them as what they are – hazardous waste. Now the big question is, what steps our communities must take to prevent the damage these batteries may cause to human health and the environment.

Practices such as discarding lithium-ion batteries in household garbage or recycling bins must be avoided, as they may cause fires during transport or in landfills.

On a household level, your local recycling centres should have facilities for lithium battery disposal. Or you may be able to find a collection point in some DIY (Do It Yourself) shops or supermarkets. These centres will be able to handle the batteries safely and see that they get as fully recycled as possible. On an industrial scale, you may want to consider seeking professional help. There are many companies out there that are highly trained in disposing of hazardous waste, and they will be best placed to take care of this for you.

How Can Ideal Response Help?

We offer services that may help you if you use or deal with lithium batteries. In addition to lithium battery disposal, we can be on-site within 24 hours for hazardous chemical cleaning if you discover a battery leak.

In the event of a fire caused by lithium batteries, we offer fire damage cleaning services. We also possess the experience and expertise in restoring a fire-damaged property to make it safe while salvaging as much as possible to minimise the damage.  

Contact us today to find out how we can help you.