Battery waste council

R&D can lessen impact of battery waste

Batteries have always been a problematic waste stream, which has been exacerbated over the past five years due to the advent of electric vehicles (EVs) and the introduction of Energy Storage Systems for both residential and utility applications. This means that over the next 10 years the level of battery waste that will need reprocessing and recycling will grow significantly in volume. Batteries are complex industrial products, and the mix of materials batteries are made of deliver great benefits – but not without also introducing a number of unique problems. The products that cause most concern are those with a lithium-ion component, which has caused a lot of fires in MRFs and rubbish trucks. These batteries are dangerous due to way in which they combust – that is known as thermal runaway.  High volumes of water are required to cool ignited batteries – which is a different strategy than for traditional fires. Read More