Keywords
lithium-ion batteries
waste management
How to Cite
Abstract
The growing use of lithium-ion batteries - particularly in e-mobility and consumer electronics - calls for the development of effective methods for their collection, transport, storage, and processing. These batteries contain valuable raw materials - lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese - that are essential to modern technologies. Improper handling of spent batteries poses serious environmental and health hazards, including the risk of overheating, fires, and explosions. A specific concern is the water used to extinguish battery fires, which can carry toxic substances into surface water and groundwater. As the number of batteries in circulation increases, it becomes crucial to implement regulations and technologies that ensure safe storage, such as temperature and gas detection systems. At the same time, recycling aligned with circular economy principles helps reduce dependence on primary raw materials and lessen environmental pressure. Examples include systems for recovering critical metals and initiatives aimed at simplifying disassembly, using biodegradable materials, and standardising cell design. A comprehensive approach to end-of-life battery management enhances safety, resource efficiency, and environmental protection. This article provides a concise synthesis of safety issues and the sustainable management of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. It presents the mechanisms by which hazards arise, including the initiation and propagation of thermal runaway, and discusses risk-mitigation measures such as optimising separator design, early fault detection through battery management systems (BMS), and engineering solutions for battery thermal management. The European regulatory framework for batteries is reviewed and summarised. The main recycling pathways are compared, and the binding European Union targets relevant to the circular economy are listed.
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