Are Rechargeable Batteries Friendly or Harmful to Our Environment?

Rechargeable batteries have become a staple in our daily lives, powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. But are they as environmentally friendly as we think?

The global market was estimated at £82.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach around £146 billion by 2032, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.88%. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for electronic devices and the shift towards clean energy. 

China is the leading producer of rechargeable batteries, accounting for 77% of the total production capacity in 2022. Poland and the United States follow, each contributing 6% to the total production.

While rechargeable batteries offer a more sustainable alternative to disposable batteries, their use and disposal require consumer commitment. A study by the Polytechnic Institute of Milan found that a rechargeable battery needs to be charged about 50 times to offset its environmental impact. This means that, To truly benefit the environment, users must be dedicated to using them regularly and ensuring they are properly recycled at the end of their life. 

This article delves into the environmental impact of rechargeable batteries, exploring their production, use, and disposal and the balance between sustainability and convenience.

Rechargeable batteries, also known as secondary cells, are a type of electrical battery that can be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times. Unlike disposable or primary batteries, which are fully charged and discarded after use, rechargeable batteries can be used multiple times, making them more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. 

Rechargeable batteries come in many different shapes and sizes, and they are used in a wide range of applications, from powering small devices like smartphones to stabilising electrical distribution networks. 

They are made from several combinations of electrode materials and electrolytes: 

The most common types of rechargeable batteries include Lithium-ion (Li-ion), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH), and Lead-Acid, each with specific applications, advantages, and limitations. 

The demand for rechargeable batteries is surging worldwide, driven by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy systems, and portable electronic devices. The global market reached approximately £89.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

These statistics show that rechargeable batteries are a significant and growing part of the global economy, particularly in Asia-Pacific and North America. 

Rechargeable batteries are more environmentally friendly than disposable ones, as they reduce the number of manufactured and disposed of batteries. They are also integral to our daily lives, powering various devices, from solar batteries to smartphones to electric vehicles.

However, these batteries' production, usage, and disposal have significant environmental implications. Additionally, charging batteries requires energy, which can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions if the electricity used is generated from fossil fuels.

This table summarises the environmental impact of rechargeable batteries compared to disposable batteries.

Rechargeable batteries are made from several combinations of electrode materials and electrolytes. Hefty metals like lead and cadmium can harm the environment if not properly disposed of or recycled. 

While they can be used multiple times, reducing the number of batteries that need to be manufactured and disposed of, they are made from more toxic materials than disposable batteries. If a rechargeable battery is used only a few times and thrown away, its environmental impact can be worse than a disposable battery. 

The production of rechargeable batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, contributes significantly to global carbon dioxide emissions. For instance, each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of batteries produced generates 150 to 200 kilograms of CO2, based on the world's predominantly fossil fuel energy mix. 

About 40 per cent of the climate impact from the production of lithium-ion batteries comes from mining and refining battery materials and manufacturing the cells.

This means producing a 30 kWh battery would generate around 5 tonnes of CO2.

Daily, the use of rechargeable batteries contributes to environmental degradation. The electricity used to power these batteries, especially in developing economies like India, is often from thermal sources, including fossil fuels like coal, which accounts for 60% of the country's total emissions.

Furthermore, the disposal of batteries in landfills can release toxins, including heavy metals, into the soil and groundwater. A study from Australia found that 98.3 per cent of lithium-ion batteries end up in landfills, increasing the likelihood of landfill fires that can burn for years.

The environmental impact also varies depending on their usage. For instance, if a rechargeable battery is used only a few times and then discarded, its environmental impact is worse than a disposable battery. 

In the transportation sector, the production of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles has a larger carbon footprint than gasoline-powered vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries can help ease reliance on fossil fuels in the renewable energy storage sector. Still, the extraction processes for the minerals used in these batteries can cause erosion and pollution. 

This is because a rechargeable battery can replace hundreds or even thousands of disposable batteries over its lifetime. 

The largest contributor to the environmental impact of rechargeable batteries is China, where most of the current lithium-ion battery manufacturing is concentrated. The countries' electricity generation remains dependent on coal and other polluting power sources, which increases the carbon footprint of battery production. 

The rechargeable batteries market is a significant sector in the global economy, with China, the United States, and Germany leading the way. The market size was estimated to expand at a CAGR of 5.88% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032.

Other notable economies markets include Japan, South Korea, and India. These countries have strong electronics and automotive industries, which drive demand for rechargeable batteries. 

The rechargeable batteries industry is dominated by several key players, including East Penn EnerSysl, Exide Technologies, Johnson Controls, LG Chem, and Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. These companies significantly impact the market, contributing to its growth and development.

According to research, these companies are the leading players as of 2024

Yes, rechargeable batteries can be toxic. They contain heavy metals such as lead, nickel, cadmium, and mercury, which harm the environment and human health. For instance, lead is a neurotoxin that can accumulate in the body and damage the nervous system. 

Cadmium, another toxic heavy metal found in rechargeable batteries, can cause health issues such as metal fume fever, pneumonitis, and pulmonary oedema. 

Rechargeable lithium batteries, commonly used in electronic devices, contain potentially toxic materials, including metals like copper, nickel, lead, and organic chemicals. These batteries are generally safe but can present a fire risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water, or physically damaged. 

Yes, you can recycle rechargeable batteries. These batteries contain valuable materials that can be recovered and reused, reducing the need for new raw materials and minimising environmental impact. 

Recycling conserves resources and prevents hazardous substances from these batteries from contaminating the environment. For example, only about 5% of Li-ion batteries are estimated to have been recycled, and the declining prices of Li-ion batteries have made recycling relatively more costly. 

In the United Kingdom, the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations aim to increase battery recycling and reduce the environmental impact of battery disposal. The regulations require battery producers to finance the collection and recycling of waste batteries, including rechargeable ones.

In the European Union, the Battery Directive sets targets for collecting and recycling all types of batteries, promoting a more sustainable approach to battery use and disposal.

Therefore, recycling at a specialist recycling centre, hazardous waste collection site or an electronics retailer offering recycling services is recommended. Single-use and rechargeable batteries can be taken to recycling centres to be recycled into new products, preventing hazardous waste and environmental harm. 

Several companies worldwide specialise in recycling lithium-ion batteries, a standard rechargeable battery. 

For instance, Call2Recycle is a nonprofit organisation leading the charge in the United States, offering free recycling services at various drop-off locations nationwide. 

Globally, efforts to increase the recycling capacity for rechargeable batteries are underway, with countries like China and the United States leading in lithium-ion battery recycling. 

The short answer is no; most rechargeable batteries are not biodegradable. They are made from various materials, including metals and chemicals, that do not naturally break down in the environment. 

While over 94% of the materials can be recycled, this does not equate to biodegradability. 

However, rechargeable batteries are generally more eco-friendly than disposable ones because they can be reused, reducing the number of batteries in landfills. Some rechargeable batteries are made with a percentage of recycled materials, and many can be recycled at the end of their life. 

Burning batteries, including rechargeable ones, can harm the environment and human health. The process releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. 

Moreover, the toxic substances released can contaminate soil and water sources, harming wildlife and disrupting ecosystems. 

Rechargeable batteries are generally more sustainable than disposable ones. One rechargeable battery can replace thousands of single-use batteries, significantly reducing waste and carbon footprint. 

However, the sustainability is not without its complexities. The production of rechargeable batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, can have significant environmental impacts. These include the environmental cost of mining lithium and other materials, the energy-intensive production process, and the challenges associated with recycling. 

Its sustainability hinges on proper use and disposal. Batteries charged less than 20 times may contribute more to environmental problems like ocean acidification and human toxicity than their single-use counterparts.

The environmental and ethical concerns, particularly lithium-ion batteries, have led to the search for more sustainable alternatives. Some explored alternatives include sodium-ion batteries, calcium-ion batteries, and organic rechargeable batteries. 

They have a significantly lower environmental impact, with 28 times less impact on global warming, 30 times less on air pollution, nine times less on air acidification, and 12 times less on water pollution. 

Let's explore some of these alternatives and assess whether they offer a better solution.

Here is a table summarising the key alternatives to lithium-ion batteries:

To determine whether they are better than their alternatives, we must consider several factors, including environmental impact, cost, energy density, and practicality. Here's a brief comparison:

Rechargeable batteries, particularly Li-ion, offer the best energy density, cost, and practicality balance for most consumer applications. However, alternatives like sodium-ion and solid-state batteries hold promise for reducing environmental impact and reliance on critical minerals, albeit with current limitations in cost, energy density, and technological maturity. 

We will be comparing the environmental impact of rechargeable batteries on everyday items. We will consider factors like global warming potential, air and water pollution, and resource depletion to do this. 

For instance, producing a single lithium-ion battery can have a greater impact on global warming and use more cumulative energy demand (CED) than producing many everyday household items. Yet, when evaluating their entire lifecycle, rechargeable batteries often emerge as more sustainable due to their reusability and the potential for recycling.

To put the environmental impact of rechargeable batteries into perspective, let's compare them with everyday household items and practices:

Rechargeable batteries become integral to modern life, powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. Source: Statista, UNCTAD, GP

Lithium mining activities have been reported to consume 65% of the water in some regions.

The value of rechargeable batteries is expected to CAGR 5.88%  between 2022-2032.

Due to the booming market, projections suggest it could reach £146 billion by 2032.

The demand for Li-ion batteries alone will increase almost sevenfold between 2022 and 2030.

China dominates battery production, holding 77% of the global capacity.

The output of a 30 kWh battery generates about 5 tonnes of CO2, with a Tesla battery exceeding 17 tonnes.

The cost of NiMH batteries is approximately £1.50 per battery.

In Australia, only 2–3% of Li-ion batteries are recycled.

The EU has set collection targets for portable batteries, aiming for higher recycling efficiency.

Although rechargeable batteries are cost-effective over time and reusable up to 1,000 times, their recycling rates are low.

The production and use of rechargeable batteries vary significantly by region. Here are some key statistics: