Only 2% of Australia’s annual 3,300 tonnes of lithium-ion battery waste is recycled— stockpiling potential landfill dangers including “fires, environmental contamination and risk to human health”, according to a new study.
The report by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) said the majority of Australia’s battery waste is shipped overseas, but the remainder is left in landfill.
But CSIRO’s ‘Lithium battery recycling in Australia’ report instead urges the setting up of “an effective recycling industry that could stabilise global lithium supplies to meet consumer demand”.
Lithium battery waste is growing by 20% each year and could exceed 100,000 tonnes by 2036 unless action is taken, the report said.
“By comparison, of the 150,000 tonnes of lead-acid batteries sold in 2010, 98% were recycled.”
CSIRO battery research leader Dr Anand Bhatt (pictured) said he and his team are working with industry “to develop processes that can support the transition to domestic recycling of lithium-ion batteries”.
“As a world leader in the adoption of solar and battery systems, we must responsibly manage our use of lithium-ion technology in support of our clean energy future,” Bhatt said.
“The value for Australia is three-fold. We can draw additional value from existing materials, minimise impact on our environment, and also catalyse a new industry in lithium-ion re-use/recycling.”
