Where the battery is damaged, it can overheat and catch fire without warning. Batteries should be checked regularly for any signs of damage and any damaged batteries should not be used. The incorrect disposal of batteries – for example, in household waste – can lead to batteries being punctured or crushed.
Every year, many waste batteries are thrown away without treatment, which is damaging to the environment. The commonly used new energy vehicle batteries are lithium cobalt acid battery, lithium iron phosphate (LIP) battery, NiMH battery, and ternary lithium battery.
As an initiative in Portugal showed, using repurposed electric vehicle batteries in this way could cut energy bills by 40%. Reusing batteries is good news for the environment. Research suggests reducing the demand for new batteries in this way could cut greenhouse gas emissions from making batteries by as much as 56%.
However, despite the glow of opportunity, it is important that the safety risks posed by batteries are effectively managed. Battery power has been around for a long time. The risks inherent in the production, storage, use and disposal of batteries are not new.
The incorrect disposal of batteries – for example, in household waste – can lead to batteries being punctured or crushed. This is known to have caused fires in bin lorries and at waste recycling centres, endangering the safety of workers and others.
Undeniably, securing sustainability in batteries should not focus only on the end of life (EoL) but throughout the life cycle of the batteries. Additionally, the responsibility of establishing circularity in batteries should not depend solely on industries and producers but should involve consumers as well.