The disposal or recycling of LiFePO4 batteries remains a key environmental issue. Not only is LiFePO4 battery recycling the responsible and safe thing to do, it also yields a number of benefits.
Why Recycle LiFePO4 Batteries?
Let’s take a quick look at why it’s important to recycle LiFePO4 batteries. Here are some of the reasons why you should be recycling old LiFePO4 batteries:
1. Conserve the non-renewable resources
Recycling LiFePO4 batteries make it possible to save raw materials that humans cannot replace. For example, recyclers conserve metals and natural resources by re-using old or waste materials. This way, other manufacturers can use the resources for further innovations.
2. Lower manufacturing costs
Making new batteries consume lots of energy. However, when you recycle old batteries, manufacturers spend less energy. By recycling, you keep the energy used in making new batteries. Manufacturers can apply the power to other useful things.
3. Reduce the quantity of material going into landfills
When you recycle LiFePO4 batteries, they can create new products. That way, they don’t have to be thrown into landfills.
4. Less of the associated environmental harm
Dumping batteries improperly can cause the chemicals to wash away. The harmful chemicals may mix with the air, leach into water or the soil. Recycling batteries will prevent contact with the environment and avoid pollution.
5. Avoid Potential Fire Hazard
One of the underrated reasons why proper lithium ion battery disposal is important is because there is a certain level of fire hazard associated with them.
6. Create new jobs
Recycling facilities need people to work through the whole process. As such, through battery recycling, more jobs are open to people.
How To Dispose of The LiFePO4 Batteries?
Used LiFePO4 batteries can take three paths: enter the trash can, reuse it, or recycle. The first way is wrong. We should not throw used LiFePO4 batteries directly into the trash can, because this is very irresponsible behavior for the environment. If the LiFePO4 battery is damaged or short-circuited, the remaining charge will be a risk, just like any battery. Batteries are the cause of most garbage trucks and landfill fires. Since LiFePO4 batteries help reduce our dependence on carbon fuels, we, as users of the global environment, certainly have the responsibility to properly dispose of batteries. Therefore, the reuse or recycling of used LiFePO4 batteries is the route we should think about.
How to reuse it?
Credit: ACS Publications
At present, after many power batteries used in EVs “fail”, they will be used in energy storage systems or in places where battery performance is low. We call this stepped battery. This is very important to reduce waste.
How to recycle LiFePO4 batteries?
The flow chart of recycling spent LiFePO4 | Credit: springer
We need to find professional lithium battery recycling organizations, you can visit the Green Directory to find battery recycling drop-off centers near you. If you can’t find them, you can also go to the relevant local government departments to find battery recycling bins, such as libraries and government offices. The recycling of waste lithium batteries is currently being promoted in many countries because it has both economic and environmental benefits.
If this isn’t an option, a quick search online will show you where the closest battery recycling service is, so you can drop them off yourself.
For smaller rural towns and people who are unable to bring their batteries in, some services take mail-in batteries.
These organizations send out battery recycling kits that allow you to safely send yours directly to them, and some will even pick them up from your front door.
It’s important to note that these services and drop-off points don’t accept all types of batteries. Some will only ask for rechargeable batteries and others will have specific materials and shapes that they take.
Make sure you check that your batteries fit the requirements before you drop them in, otherwise you’ll need to find another way.
What to avoid when recycling LiFePO4 batteries？
- Do not throw out batteries in your regular household garbage or recycling bin.
- Do not burn batteries in a fire, they may explode.
- Avoid storing batteries in metal containers.
- Don’t keep old batteries close to flammable materials.
- Don’t crush or puncture the batteries resulting in leakage or short-circuiting.
- Don’t store large quantities of li-ion batteries close together without capping or taping off exposed connectors.
Conclusion
LiFePO4 Batteries power our daily lives and it’s our responsibility to recycle them when they reach end-of-life. It helps prevent potentially hazardous materials in batteries from harming the environment, it can protect against potential fires by keeping LiFePO4 batteries out of the garbage. and helps conserve our natural resources.
You can also give us a call at Battery Finds at [email protected] if you want to know more information about LiFePO4 batteries.
We thank you for doing your part for the environment!