Lithium-ion batteries are in almost every rechargeable electronic, from face scrubbers (that destroy your skin barrier) to cars. Demand for lithium-ion batteries is expected to grow by over 600% in the next 10 years. The supply chain is not prepared for that.
“Lithium-ion batteries are a type of commonly used rechargeable batteries that vary in size and design, but work in very similar ways. A battery is made of one or more cells, with each individual cell functioning to produce electricity.
A cell contains an anode layer, a cathode layer, and a separator, all of which are in contact with an electrolyte, which is most often a liquid. These components are stacked or rolled together and placed in an outer packaging— typically either a steel can or an aluminum/polymer pouch material.
The term “battery” may be used to describe a cell—a single energy-producing unit—as well as a module or an entire pack.
Recycling used lithium-ion batteries (and the devices that contain them) will help address emerging issues associated with the clean energy transition and prevent problems caused by inappropriate battery disposal. End-of-life lithium-ion batteries contain valuable critical minerals needed in the production of new batteries."
EV batteries are not standardized, so a Tesla battery is going to be a different size with a different recycling process than a BMW. Recycling strategies are also unable to retrieve all components in the battery.
Pyrometallurgical processes heat materials to extreme temperatures in a furnace, until metals like cobalt and nickel are retrieved.
Hydrometallurgical processes subject the battery parts to chemical solutions dissolved in water to leach out the desired metals. Batteries undergoing this process require pre-processing, which involves discharging, dismantling, and shredding the battery. Then, those pieces must be sorted.
Companies, such as Nissan’s 4R Energy Corp, have begun research to combat supply-demand chain issues. The automotive industry has over a 90% recycle rate when it comes to traditional lead-acid car batteries. Only 5% of EV batteries are currently being recycled.
Some are being sent to landfills, but others are being stored now for later recycling. The storage is occurring because the recycling process of these batteries is time-consuming, and not yet profitable for most companies.
Nissan has one solution for this, grading batteries for Reuse
Renewable energy sources like solar panels do not provide consistent energy at all times, as the sun is not shining at all times. This creates a supply-demand chain inequality. In the video, 16 recycled car batteries are being used to store this energy, in order to mitigate the inequality. The solution to sustainable energy maintaining its supply also inadvertently advances supply chain solutions for lithium-ion batteries, which will then make solar panels themselves easier to produce.
Batteries are not only essentially in providing energy for our electronics but also in storing renewable energy. The world is estimated to need 300 terawatts of battery capacity to be fully sustainable. (One terawatt is equivalent to one trillion watts). And yet, less than 5% of lithium-ion-containing devices are recycled.
Redwood Materials is a company that is attempting to remedy the supply-chain issues. Redwood Materials has over 100 lithium-ion battery collection centers across the US. Consumers can simply place a phone, with case and screen protector still on if they choose, in the repository. It will then be sent off to their recycling facilities, where materials will be extracted. Their recycling facility is the US, which is important considering that critical metals can move 50,000+ miles before they reach a cell factory.
Redwood Materials has over 100 collection centers located in car dealerships, as they partner with brands like Volkswagon and Toyota. However, Americans throw out over 150 million phones every year. There are not enough repositories to support this volume of materials, and even if there were, most people still likely would have individual motivation to “donate” phones.
The Rotary club is also a Redwood Materials Partner. There is information on their website for Rotary clubs to host community events. These community events are likely geared towards people who have been holding on to e-waste in their homes. Advertising materials suggest that these community events are set up like bottle drives.
One thing about bottle drives, though, is they’re usually for non-profit fundraising. Companies like Goodwill are not hosting clothing drives so that they can turn around and sell those clothes right back to the community that donated them.
Redwood Materials’ website states “At this stage, Redwood does not compensate for consumer devices or batteries through our consumer program. For business partnership inquiries, please contact our Business”
The lithium-ion battery recycling industry is expected to grow to over $20 billion by 2030.
Junk drawer devices are literally acquiring value by the minute. The demand for lithium-ion batteries is unstoppable at this point, as they are necessary for a sustainable future. In order for a truly circular economy to function, the consumer cannot be handing over their recyclables for companies to sell them back to them at higher rates.
Redwood Materials is run by a Tesla co-founder. Financial compensation would not only motivate consumers to recycle but also increase the volume of materials collected, making the recycling process more efficient and profitable. By turning junk- rawer devices into valuable assets through direct incentives, we can ensure a sustainable future where critical materials are consistently reclaimed, reused, and not simply discarded or resold at higher rates.
Credits:
Created with images by markobe - "Forklift battery" • amazing studio - "micro circuit main board computer electronic technology, hardware, mobile phone, upgrade, cleaning concept." • Photocreo Bednarek - "Rear detail shot of modern black premium car"