Global warming is teaching us how important it is to be environmentally responsible. We all have an impact, however small, on our changing weather patterns we should not ignore. This includes being aware of what happens to our batteries after they are worn out. So let’s take a moment to consider recycling lead and lithium-ion batteries.
Slow Lead-Into Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries
Early lithium-ion pioneers may have scarcely spared a thought to recycling their invention. Global warming was already happening, but the outward signs of extreme weather were few. Besides, who would have thought lithium-ion batteries would manufacture in such numbers.
And so, for a variety of reasons governments have only recently started worrying about recycling lithium-ion batteries. This is probably why the recycling technology is lagging behind the need to implement it urgently.
The world still faces an unresolved challenge to recover the valuable materials in lithium-ion batteries, including cobalt and lithium. This process is technically complex, because lithium-ion electrolyte can quite easily catch fire.
At this stage, we don’t really know how many of these batteries are recycled in global terms, and what happens to the rest. This is a ticking environmental time bomb we should consider when purchasing these products.
Recycling Lead-Acid Batteries Ahead of Lithium-Ion
Breaking down lead-acid batteries is far easier, because the technology is rugged and simple. Large-scale lead-acid battery recycling was already common in North America in the 1920’s, and now hovers around 95% world-wide.
This system is well-regulated in Western countries, although this is not the case in many developing states. Unsafe working conditions cause lead poisoning among workers. Noxious chemicals seep into the ground.
We have a duty as consumers to consider lead and lithium-ion battery recycling when purchasing these products. Where are they manufactured and by whom? And what happens to them when they are spent, and we no longer need them?
More Information
Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Update
