Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling: The Complete Guide

Lithium-ion batteries power almost everything around us—from smartphones to electric vehicles—but what happens when these powerful energy sources reach the end of their life? Most people are unaware of the hidden dangers they pose when improperly disposed of.

Toxic chemicals, environmental contamination, and fire hazards are just a few of the risks lurking in your old, forgotten batteries. But the impact goes beyond individual safety—our growing reliance on lithium and cobalt has profound environmental and ethical consequences.

Can You Recycle Lithium-Ion Batteries?

Yes, you can recycle lithium-ion batteries, but they require special handling. Take them to certified recycling centers, electronics retailers with battery takeback programs, or hazardous waste collection sites. Avoid throwing them in the trash, as they pose fire risks and contain harmful chemicals. Proper recycling helps recover valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel while protecting the environment.

The lithium-ion battery recycling process is more complex than other types of e-waste. This complexity can make it challenging to find local recycling centers equipped to handle them.

Here’s why:

How Much of a Lithium-Ion Battery Can Be Recycled?

While not every part of a lithium-ion battery is recoverable, most of the materials can be recycled. Over 90% of metals like cobalt and nickel can be reclaimed, though certain components, such as plastics and organic chemicals, are harder to recycle.

What to Avoid When Disposing of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Remember that you should never throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash. If they end up in landfills, they can leak harmful chemicals like lithium salts and cobalt, or even start underground fires, which are difficult to control and dangerous for the environment.

Always take your batteries to certified recycling facilities. These locations are equipped to handle lithium-ion batteries safely, minimizing the risk of fires or chemical releases.
Recycling lithium-ion batteries prevents environmental harm and supports the circular economy by reducing the need for raw materials. As manufacturers develop safer, more eco-friendly battery alternatives, we expect to see even better recycling technologies emerge in the coming years.

Harmful Metals in Lithium-Ion Batteries

There’s a common misconception about the environmental impact of lithium-ion batteries. While some studies claim lithium is one of the least toxic metals used in battery production, this doesn’t tell the full story. Many other materials in these batteries can cause significant harm to the environment.

What’s Inside a Lithium-Ion Battery?

Lithium-ion batteries are made up of a mix of materials, and while the exact composition varies by manufacturer, a typical battery contains:

Environmental Risks of Harmful Metals

While lithium itself is considered less toxic, metals like cobalt, nickel, and manganese found in lithium-ion batteries can pose serious environmental hazards:

The Dangers of Dumping Lithium-Ion Batteries in Landfills

Human Toxicity from Damage and Deterioration

Before lithium-ion batteries even reach landfills, they already pose a toxic threat. When damaged, these rechargeable batteries can release fine particles—known as PM10 and PM2.5—into the air. These tiny particles, less than 10 and 2.5 microns in size, are especially dangerous because they carry metals like arsenic, cadmium, and cobalt. 

Breathing in these particles can lead to serious health issues such as heart and lung diseases, increased cancer risks, and hormonal imbalances.

Additionally, damaged or deteriorating lithium-ion batteries can emit hydrofluoric acid (HF), a highly toxic gas that can penetrate the skin or lungs, causing severe health effects. For example, a single electric vehicle battery pack can release significant amounts of HF if damaged—between 20 and 200 mg per watt of battery capacity. To put this into perspective, this amount can easily exceed safety levels set by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Important Note: Never attempt to disassemble a lithium-ion battery yourself. Leave this to professionals who specialize in battery recycling and are equipped to handle such hazards safely.

Potential Fire Hazard

Proper disposal is also important because lithium-ion batteries can pose a fire hazard when handled or stored improperly. 

At GreenCitizen, over 95% of the exploded or bulging batteries that we get are from Apple products that use the Lithium Polymer (LiPo) style.

Some of us still remember the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall when improperly designed li-ion batteries were prone to overheating and exploding. 

This effect is called the thermal runoff — a lithium cell basically self-heats, bulges, and combusts. 

The problem is not going away by itself. 

Veolia, one of the global waste handling companies has noted a 38% increase in fire incidents since 2017, due to the presence of lithium-ion batteries in the waste stream. 

The UK Environmental Services Association estimates that nearly 250 fires in the country’s waste treatment centers were caused by small Li-ion batteries between 2019 and 2020. 

The German Steel Recyclers Conferedation (BDSV) has reported a whopping 90% of fires at their associated sites in 2020 caused by Li-ion batteries.

But how can this happen?

If a charged lithium cell is crushed or pierced, it will short-circuit which also causes thermal runoff that leads to combustion or explosion.

This is one of the great challenges in lithium-ion battery recycling. You need to do it safely, because setting fire to all the materials you want to recycle is not the best way of recycling.  

Groundwater Contamination Concerns

When lithium-ion batteries end up in landfills, they can create a toxic liquid called leachate, which forms when rainwater filters through waste. This leachate carries harmful chemicals and battery materials from the batteries, which can seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater.

The pollutants include heavy metals, electrolyte byproducts, and acidic gasses like HF (hydrofluoric acid), HCl (hydrochloric acid), and SO2 (sulfur dioxide).

Not only do these chemicals poison water sources, but they can also acidify the water, harming local ecosystems in a way similar to acid rain. This damage impacts plant and animal life, often leading to long-term ecological consequences.

Inappropriate battery disposal of lithium-ion batteries discarded in landfills can cause profound and lasting environmental damage. That’s why it’s so important to manage these batteries responsibly by ensuring they go through a proper recycling process. Doing so not only protects human health and reduces fire risks but also safeguards our groundwater and ecosystems from contamination.

The Hidden Costs of Lithium and Cobalt Mining

While lithium-ion batteries are crucial for powering everything from cell phones to electric vehicles, the extraction of key battery components like lithium and cobalt comes with significant environmental and ethical costs.

Understanding the impact of mining these critical materials helps explain why recycling lithium-ion batteries is so important for sustainability.

Environmental Impact of Lithium Mining

Lithium, often referred to as "white gold," is primarily mined from salt flats in countries like Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. These salt flats, known as the Lithium Triangle, hold over half of the world’s lithium supply.

However, extracting lithium is highly energy-intensive and comes with several environmental challenges:

Ethical Concerns in Cobalt Mining

Cobalt is another critical material in lithium-ion batteries, with more than 70% of the world’s cobalt supply mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While cobalt is essential for battery stability and energy density, its extraction is marred by ethical issues:

How to Tell If Your Lithium-ion Battery Is Bad/Damaged?

Identifying a faulty or damaged lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery is crucial for safety and device performance. Here are signs and tests backed by data and expert guidance to help you determine the health of your Li-ion battery:

1. Visual Inspection

A battery that appears swollen or has a bloated casing is a clear indicator of damage. Swelling can be caused by gas buildup due to overcharging, deep discharging, or internal short circuit. This is a common issue; for instance, many Apple users have complained about the issue of battery swelling. Any discoloration or warping of the battery case could signify overheating, which is a serious concern.

2. Battery Performance Decline

If your battery drains more quickly than it used to, it's often a sign of degradation. A study published by Battery University indicates that after 300-500 full charge-discharge cycles, Li-ion batteries typically retain only about 70% of their original capacity.

If the battery doesn’t hold a charge at all or drops charge rapidly, it's likely compromised. Research shows that high temperatures can accelerate degradation, with every 15°F increase—over 77°F room temperature—cutting the battery's life in half.

3. Voltage Testing

A simple voltage test with a multimeter can reveal if a battery is still functioning or needs to be replaced. Most lithium-ion batteries charge up to 4.2 volts but operate around 3.7 volts during use. When the voltage drops below 3.4 volts, the battery is nearing the end of its life. If it falls under 3.0 volts, the battery is likely damaged and should be recycled.

4. Overheating During Charging or Use

A battery that becomes excessively hot during charging or normal use is a potential safety hazard. Heat can indicate internal resistance, which often leads to battery failure. The acceptable operating range for most lithium-ion batteries is between 59°F and 95°F. Anything outside of this range, particularly if the battery becomes too hot to touch, is a warning sign that it should be replaced.

5. Leakage or Odor

Any leaking fluid or a chemical odor coming from the battery suggests a breach in the battery’s internal structure, which can be extremely dangerous. A leaking battery may release toxic chemicals, which pose a health risk and should be handled with care.

6. Diagnostic Tools

Many modern devices include software that can report on battery health. For instance, Apple’s iOS allows users to check their battery’s maximum capacity and overall health compared to when it was new. Similarly, some protective cases and diagnostic tools offer insights into battery cycles and performance, providing an easy way to identify when a battery is nearing the end of its useful life.

7. Manufacturer Recalls

Stay informed about any battery recalls from your device manufacturer. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was recalled due to a widespread battery overheating issue. If you’re unsure about your battery’s health and it matches the recall criteria, it’s essential to act promptly.

How To Recycle Lithium-Ion Batteries

Recycling lithium-ion batteries is crucial for environmental protection and resource conservation. Follow these steps to ensure safe and responsible recycling:

Find a Recycling Center

Lithium-ion batteries require special handling, so it's important to find a qualified facility. Here’s how to locate one:

Prepare Your Batteries for Recycling

Proper preparation helps ensure that your batteries can be safely transported and recycled:

The Battery Recycling Process

Here’s what happens once your batteries reach a recycling facility:

Always follow local environmental regulations when recycling batteries. This helps ensure that the materials are handled responsibly and that no harmful substances end up in landfills.

Using GreenCitizen's UPS Battery Recycling Services

If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, GreenCitizen offers convenient options for recycling lithium-ion batteries:

For more information, check out our detailed recycling services or use our Green Directory to find local recycling options.

It’s essential to stay updated on new recycling technologies and guidelines. Lithium-ion battery recycling is continuously evolving, and improvements are being made to increase recovery rates and safety. Remember, different types of lithium batteries may have different recycling processes, so always check specific instructions.

Dos And Don’ts When Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries

FAQ

Conclusion

Lithium-ion batteries are insanely useful, but it's important that you don’t unknowingly put yourself or others in danger because of them.

The fire hazards associated with them and the toxic metals that they contain could potentially lead to serious issues unless these batteries are properly recycled.

If you would like to recycle lithium-ion batteries, you can visit the Green Directory to find battery recycling drop-off centers near you.

You can also give us a call at GreenCitizen at (650) 493-8700 if you want to know more information about lithium batteries.

We thank you for doing your part for the environment!