Case study
Australia produces around 3,300 tonnes of lithium-ion battery waste each year. We have published a report outlining how we can tackle this growing issue.
A serious waste problem
As demand grows for energy storage and batteries, so too does the amount of lithium-ion battery waste. The following statistics paint a picture of the challenge:
Research Leader Dr Anand Bhatt in CSIRO's battery laboratory.
Research Leader Dr Anand Bhatt in CSIRO's battery laboratory.
An in-depth study
A new report 'Lithium battery recycling in Australia' addresses growing demand for lithium-ion technology, currently used in vast quantities in electronic and household devices.The report says that Australia could become a world leader in the re-use and recycling of lithium-ion batteries.
Low battery recycling rates can be overcome through better understanding of the importance of recycling, improved collection processes, and by implementing ways to efficiently recycle materials.
The report also says that an effective recycling industry could also stabilise global lithium supplies to meet consumer demand.
Multi-disciplinary energy storage expertise
CSIRO research is supporting recycling efforts, with research underway on processes for recovery of metals and materials, development of new battery materials, and support for the circular economy around battery reuse and recycling.
Across CSIRO's Energy, Manufacturing, and Land and Water groups, researchers are working with industry to develop processes that can support the transition to domestic recycling of lithium-ion batteries.
The report also found that research, government and industry must work closely to develop standards and best-practice solutions to this issue.
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