Recycling technologies, policies, prospects, and challenges for spent batteries

Zhuang Kang; Zhixin Huang; Qingguo Peng; Zhiwei Shi; Huaqiang Xiao; Ruixue Yin; Guang Fu; Jin Zhao

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.108072

Recycling technologies, policies, prospects, and challenges for spent batteries

iScience. 2023 Sep 28;26(11):108072. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108072. eCollection 2023 Nov 17.

Authors

Zhuang Kang¹, Zhixin Huang², Qingguo Peng^{1

2}, Zhiwei Shi², Huaqiang Xiao¹, Ruixue Yin¹, Guang Fu¹, Jin Zhao¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Mechanical Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
² Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing Technology of the Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.

Abstract

The recycling of spent batteries is an important concern in resource conservation and environmental protection, while it is facing challenges such as insufficient recycling channels, high costs, and technical difficulties. To address these issues, a review of the recycling of spent batteries, emphasizing the importance and potential value of recycling is conducted. Besides, the recycling policies and strategies implemented in representative countries are summarized, providing legal and policy support for the recycling industry. Moreover, a comprehensive classification and comparison of recycling technologies identify the characteristics and current status of different approaches. The integrated recycling technology provides a better recycling performance with zero-pollution recycling of spent battery. Biorecycling technology is expected to gain a broad development prospect in the future owing to the superiority of energy-saving and environmental protection, high recycling efficiency, via microbial degradation, enzymatic degradation, etc. Consequently, as for the existing recycling challenges of waste batteries, developing new recycling technology and perfecting its recycling system is an indispensable guarantee for the sustainable development of waste battery. Meanwhile, theoretical support is offered for the recycling of spent batteries.

Keywords: Electrochemical energy storage; Engineering; Environmental policy.

Publication types

Review