According to the waste management hierarchy, reusing items is considered to be more beneficial than recycling them. One prominent example of reuse is in the field of stationary energy storage. Currently, this practice is well-known and widely practiced. However, as the production and sales of electric vehicles are projected to increase significantly in the coming years, the opportunities for secondary use of batteries will soon become limited. Furthermore, even batteries that have gone through a few rounds of reuse will eventually reach a point where recycling becomes necessary. It is important to explore alternative avenues and solutions to handle the growing waste management challenge posed by the increasing number of batteries in need of disposal.
Recycling lithium-ion batteries offers a range of benefits, primarily centered around the significant economic and environmental costs associated with mining virgin materials. By recycling, the need for new primary materials can be significantly reduced, thereby minimizing the harmful social and environmental impacts of mining. Ultimately, recycling supports a more sustainable approach to resource utilization that balances economic interests with the realities of limited resources and the pressing need to protect the planet.
The production of an NMC532 Li-Ion battery demands specific metal compositions. The production of such a battery requires 8 kg (~18 lbs) of lithium, 35 kg (~77 lbs) of nickel, 20 kg (~44 lbs) of manganese, and 14 kg (~31 lbs) of cobalt [2]. Apart from these metals, electric vehicles necessitate a considerable amount of copper which is needed at least 9 times as much as conventional internal combustion engine vehicles [7].
The United States produces some of the metals used in making lithium-ion batteries, such as copper, but others like cobalt and lithium require international sourcing. Cobalt, in particular, is the costliest and rarest metal used in making batteries, with around 66% of the world's supply coming from mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo where human rights violations are rampant. Additionally, most of the production of lithium-ion batteries takes place in East Asia, specifically in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea.
A group of researchers at Earthworks, a nonprofit organization devoted to the sustainable mining of minerals and energy, has conducted a study on the potential of recycling to diminish the need for fresh mining. According to their calculations, recycling can play a crucial role in reducing the overall demand for primary metals in 2040. Their projections assert that a 25% reduction in lithium demand, 35% in cobalt demand, and a significant drop of 55% in copper demand can be achieved through effective recycling methods.
As the use of electric vehicles continues to grow, the demand for metals used in lithium-ion batteries (LIB) will also increase. This dependence on metals creates a potential vulnerability for U.S. sellers if the key suppliers, who are mostly located overseas, reduce or halt production. However, recycling these valuable metals can create a more stable supply chain that can withstand supply risks and disruptions.
By relying on secondary metals sourced through recycling, the electric vehicle industry can become less reliant on primary material mining and lithium-ion battery production. This would help insulate the industry from potential conflicts between countries that mine the primary metals or produce battery components. Furthermore, it would also address ethical concerns related to the production of certain metals like cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Creating a more sustainable and ethical supply chain for electric vehicles through metal recycling not only ensures a stable availability of these metals but also helps mitigate risks associated with geopolitical tensions and global conflicts. By reducing reliance on virgin metals and promoting recycling practices, the industry can create a more resilient and responsible ecosystem for the production and maintenance of electric vehicles.
Recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) does not only bring benefits to the supply chain but also to the environment and society in general. The mining industry, particularly in the extraction of lithium, is known for its adverse effects on the environment and human population. Mining can cause pollution in both air and water, which is a major cause of concern [10]. Furthermore, extracting lithium from natural sources is highly energy and water-intensive, with ore mining being energy-intensive and mineral-rich brine extraction being water-intensive [2]. In the United States for instance, mining operations in Nevada have been known to interfere with the lands of American Indian tribes and farmers, with billions of gallons of water from the groundwater system being consumed by the mining operations [11]. Given these environmental and social impacts of lithium mining, the recycling of LIBs is a commendable strategy to reduce our reliance on mining and protect the environment and vulnerable communities.
Producing a substantial amount of lithium necessitates a considerable quantity of ore and mineral-rich brine. If the ore is extracted, it requires 250 tons to obtain just one ton of lithium. On the other hand, using mineral-rich brine necessitates a whopping 750 tons to produce the same amount [6]. However, a potential alternative lies in recycling used lithium-ion batteries, as 28 tons of these batteries could potentially yield 1 ton of lithium. Embracing this recycling approach could conserve millions of tons of valuable ore, brine, and water resources.