A Circular Economy for Lithium-Ion Batteries Used in Mobile
In this report we analyze drivers, barriers, and enablers to a circular economy for LiBs used in mobile and stationary BES systems in the United States. We also analyze federal, state, and
The lithium-ion battery industry is driving the global clean energy transition but faces growing sustainability challenges. Pollution and recycling bottlenecks span the entire materials life cycle, emphasizing the urgent need for integrated chemical, environmental and policy frameworks to guide risk assessments and sustainable development.
The mining of lithium, cobalt, and nickel requires significant energy and water resources, and the production process emits greenhouse gases. Although lithium-ion batteries have a lower environmental impact than fossil fuels, the manufacturing phase still contributes to carbon emissions.
As lithium-ion batteries proliferate, waste management and recycling become increasingly important. Recycling rates for lithium-ion batteries remain low, and current methods are inefficient, expensive, and unable to recover all valuable materials.
However, as an industrial product, batteries follow a linear route of waste-intensive production, use, and disposal; therefore, greater circularity would elevate them as sustainable energizers.
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