Most of our gadgets and electronics operate on lithium-ion batteries, but what should we do after depleting them? Here we will talk about Lithium-ion battery recycling. Not properly disposing of used batteries has always been an issue. Battery technology has evolved, but its chemicals are still harmful. If you are not properly disposing of your lithium-ion batteries, it will become a hazard. Throwing them in the trash is not only wrong   to do, but at the same time, they land in landfills. The chemicals present in these spent batteries degrade over time. In this blog, you will learn about lithium-ion battery recycling, why it is important to recycle them, and how they will impact us if you do not dispose of them properly. Furthermore, how Recycle Technologies Inc. is making a difference.

Can you recycle Lithium-ion Batteries?

The answer is simple Yes!

The process is complicated, but lithium-ion batteries are recyclable. Recycle Technologies Inc is the perfect place to recycle lithium-ion batteries. Their state-of-the-art recycling center can quickly dispose of these types of batteries in no time at all.

Why is lithium so reactive?

Aside from its chemistry, let's absorb that you simply cannot dump a lithium-ion battery into landfills. Increased temperature and electric discharge can lead to the consequences of fire. Such cases are occasional but are being described gradually often.

So, contact with water lithium-ion batteries is hazardous and environmentally dangerous. Unlike other materials, these sorts of batteries cannot be reused directly, so recycling lithium-ion batteries is a feasible solution. Furthermore, such recycling also decreases the desire to mine virgin resources.

Can you throw away Lithium-Ion Batteries?  

No, you cannot toss away lithium-ion batteries with your daily waste… Let me tell you why!

Heavy metals from Lithium-ion batteries contain Environmental Hazards…

When lithium-ion batteries are disposed of in landfills, they can leak potentially harmful elements such as manganese, nickel, and cobalt into the environment (Tomaszewski, 2021).

Even if that weren't concerning enough, lithium-ion batteries have been linked to fires that have broken out underground and continued for an extended period, which results in contamination. Most Lithium-ion batteries still find their way into landfills, even though all the adverse effects have been pointed out.

How to tell if your Li-ion battery is damaged?

The best way to determine if your lithium-ion battery has become obsolete is to look for the signs below. This can prevent an accident or even your life. Always be sure to protect yourself from hazards.

Voltage Drops

You will notice voltage and capacity drops in your electronics working on lithium-ion batteries. If that is the case, your best bet is to dispose of it immediately.

The battery gets self-discharged shortly

All the batteries get self-discharged, meaning they lose charge even though they aren’t in working form. Usually, Lithium-ion batteries don’t self-discharge easily while working in good condition.

The battery overheats

Overheating of batteries is a common sign of a bad lithium-ion battery. After heavy use, such batteries get hot. In case of high temperatures, you are risking not only your battery but your device as well.

How many lithium-ion batteries are recyclable?

Approximately lithium-ion batteries are 95% recyclable into new ones. Elements like lithium, nickel, and cobalt hold their value beyond the storm's life. So when they have completed their purpose, they can be helpful as we can reclaim these elements through recycling.

As we have learned so far, illegal handling of e-waste like lithium-ion batteries will always be the reason for environmental and health hazards. Recycle Technologies is a perfect lithium-ion battery recycler. Lithium-ion batteries can have a severe impact in terms of human toxicity and ecosystem pollution. We aim to minimize such severe outcomes to a possible extent.

You can use one of these services to dispose of Lithium-ion batteries properly.

Mail-in Program

Lithium-ion batteries are eligible for our Mail-in program.  The mail-in program is the perfect way to dispose of lithium-ion batteries in the comfort of your home. You can use your cardboard box, or we can supply you with one. The main benefit of our cardboard box is that it comes with prepaid shipping tags. This way, you don’t have to spend money on shipping. You only pay for the cardboard box. Click here to learn how to store batteries in the container and make them safe for transport.

Lithium-ion batteries drop-off

You can always visit our recycling centers at these locations. Here we can recycle your spent batteries. Our state-of-the-art facility can dispose of lithium-ion batteries with ease. So if you have massive quantities of lithium-ion batteries, we can quickly dispose of them. You can use this form. If coming to our location can be an issue. Companies and government agencies can use our request for a pickup service.

Recycle Technologies has been serving the people of Wisconsin and Minnesota for the past 40 years. With your help, we have kept the environment and the future of our children green. You have helped us lead the fight against greenhouse gasses and curb emissions harming us. Recycling is the only way forward to stop relying on fossil fuels.

FAQs About Lithium-ion Batteries

How much of a lithium-ion battery can be recycled?

Different factors determine how much of a lithium-ion battery may be recycled, including the battery's type, the recycling method employed, and the battery's state. Recycling can recover up to 95% of the cobalt, nickel, lithium, copper, and aluminum found in lithium-ion batteries.

Are lithium batteries bad for the environment?

Like any other technology or product, lithium batteries have environmental impacts associated with their production, use, and disposal. Compared to different types of batteries and energy storage systems, the ecological impact of lithium batteries can be minimal if they are used and discarded correctly.

What is the recycling efficiency of lithium-ion batteries?

The efficiency with which lithium-ion batteries can be recycled varies with the recycling method, the battery type, and the battery's current state of repair. However, up to 95% of the materials in a lithium-ion battery may typically be recovered through recycling.