Heavy metals such as Co, Li, Mn, Ni, etc. and organic compounds enrich spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). These batteries seriously threaten human health and the environment. Meanwhile, with the development of new energy vehicles, the shortage of valuable metal resources which are used as raw materials for power batteries is becoming a serious problem. Using proper methods to recycle spent LIBs can both save resources and protect the environment. Pyrometallury is a kind of recycling method that is operated under high temperature with the aim of recovering useful metals after pre-treatment and organic binder removal with the characteristic of high temperature and it is easy to operate. Hydrometallurgy is characterized by high recovery efficiency, low reaction energy consumption, and high reaction rate, and is widely used in the recycling process of spent LIBs. During biometallurgy, valuable metals in the spent LIBs are extracted by microbial metabolism or microbial acid production processes. Since the drive for green and low secondary pollution, biometallurgy as well as solvent extraction and the electrochemical method have earned more attention during recent years. This mini-review analyzes the relationship between the emergence of new energy vehicles and the recycling status of spent LIBs. Meanwhile, this paper also consists of detailed treatment and recycling methods for LIBs and provides a summary of the management regulations of current waste for LIBs. What is more, the main challenges and further prospects in terms of LIBs management in China are analyzed.
Keywords: Regulations; Waste batteries; electronic vehicles; fossil fuels; lithium-ion batteries; recycling methods.