Lithium-ion batteries store a large amount of energy in a small amount of space. This makes them powerful, portable, and versatile, which is why you find them in many rechargeable devices that you use every day. But when lithium-ion batteries reach the end of their life, they can’t just be thrown in the trash or mixed with other batteries while recycling. This leads to fires that put people and property at risk. Metals from batteries in landfills can leach into ground water, causing health hazards. It also contributes to our world’s growing e-waste problem.
Did you know? The UN predicts electronic waste, including batteries in your cell phone, tablet, or laptop, will be the next great global challenge we face.
Fortunately, it is possible to safely recycle lithium-ion batteries, which also allows the materials inside lithium-ion batteries to be extracted and reused, contributing to a more circular and sustainable society. Keep reading to learn how.
Take Action
With so many rechargeable technologies right at our fingertips, our personal actions can play a huge role in shaping a safer, more sustainable world.
One action you can take right now is to look up your nearest certified battery recycling drop-off site. From rechargeable and single-use batteries, to e-bike batteries and cellphones, you can quickly and easily find drop-off locations at Call2Recycle.org.
The Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI) at UL Research Institutes conducts scientific research on the safety and performance of energy technologies, including lithium-ion batteries. Their work also engages and inspires people to safely recycle their devices powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Why don’t people do more to safely recycle their devices? The simple, most common answer is lack of awareness. Many people don’t realize just how easy it is to safely recycle lithium-ion batteries.
These quick and simple tools can help you spread the word with your friends, classmates, colleagues, neighbors, and beyond!