18 Sep 2024

The Military and Planning for Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling

Purpose: Understanding the military challenges related to lithium-ion battery disposal and learning about current and future trends in recycling efforts can inform safer and less environmentally destructive end-of-life solutions. Established lead-acid battery recycling methods were compared to the still-evolving lithium-ion battery recycling processes. Executive Order (EO) 13817, EO 13953, and EO 14017 have prioritized the identification of critical minerals, including minerals necessary for lithium-ion battery production, and the need to strengthen supply chains as vital to national security. To support this national security effort, the military may be able to contribute to the domestic supply through employing efficient recycling practices and encouraging industry to move towards standardization. Evolving recycling practices, including efforts to eliminate hazards in spent lithium-ion batteries, may be able to help the military dispose of these items more safely and cost-effectively, especially in contingency locations.