Used lithium batteries: old but gold

Do you have used lithium batteries and have been wondering if and how to recycle them? Well, it would interest you to know that not only are these high-powered batteries recyclable but they are valuable as well. Below are some frequently asked questions about old lithium batteries that should get you on track with how valuable these inactive batteries are.

Does anyone buy used lithium batteries

Used lithium batteries are just like every other battery in the sense that, once they have been depleted of their potency, they can be recycled. And in today’s world where recycling is a major sector in most countries, there are companies dedicated to recycling used batteries and yes, these companies would even pay for these batteries. Recycling is an environmentally friendly practice and the process of converting these used batteries to valuable commodities that can be reused is gaining traction around the world.

And without these used batteries, the natural supply and reserves of lithium as well other valuable metals contained in these batteries would soon become increasingly scarce and expensive. In essence, the answer is yes, people do buy used lithium batteries as recycling is not only eco-friendly but also a valuable way of maximizing raw materials needed in the production of more batteries.

Can lithium batteries be reused

Lithium-Ion Batteries are energy-generating objects that are made up of other materials besides just lithium. Some of these other materials include cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, copper, and aluminum. After the shelf life of a lithium battery is reached, to the average person it might seem useless but in truth, it is just as valuable as it was when it was still active. Recycling companies are not just dedicated to recycling used lithium batteries for environmental purposes but also refurbishing and reusing these batteries.

With the increase in demand for lithium batteries caused by the wide production of electric vehicles, it has become increasingly important to recover these battery materials which are still present in used batteries. So, while a lithium-ion battery may no longer be active, the materials within can be extracted, revived, and made into new batteries which can be sold and reused.

Why lithium battery recycling is important

The boom in the electric vehicle market has been a game-changer not just in reducing carbon emissions but also in the world’s reliance on battery-powered energy sources. As a result of this boom, demand for these battery packs especially lithium-ion batteries has been on a steady rise with no signs of slowing down. This has made lithium battery recycling so important because obtaining these raw materials still present in used batteries is more economical than sourcing for them anew.

With this new trend of recycling used lithium batteries, the old hazardous practice of stockpiling mounds of dead batteries which commonly caused fires due to thermal degradation is slowly becoming obsolete. Recycling used lithium batteries also serves to conserve and extend the reserves of raw materials in the world, effectively leaving some for future generations.

Are old lithium batteries worth anything

Used lithium batteries may no longer be active in terms of energy generation and conduction but the raw materials which make up these batteries as a whole still retain their natural properties. Mining for these raw materials like cobalt, copper, manganese, and aluminum has become increasingly expensive and hard to come by.

As a result, recycling companies are getting these materials by extracting them from used batteries which makes them valuable as well. So, old lithium batteries may no longer be worth what they used to, but they are valuable to recycling companies who would extract valuable materials to be used in producing new batteries.

So if you have used lithium batteries sitting in your garage, congratulations, you have a few pounds of valuable raw materials waiting to be reused.

What can you do with reused lithium batteries

Reused lithium batteries can have a wide range of applications because, although they may not be in use anymore, they are still viable. This leaves whatever percentage of power capacity left in the batteries suitable for energy storage and other uses. These batteries can be retrofitted to be used as “second-life” packs for storing energy and could even be used in a wide range of device and machine applications.

How much is a used lithium-ion battery worth

Lithium batteries are present in most smart devices we use in the world today from laptops to cell phones and electric cars. That accounts for a lot of battery power and a lot of recyclable materials that are currently in high demand to recycling companies who would pay for these batteries.

Currently, a pound of used lithium battery goes for as much as $1 and maybe even as high as $1.3 as offered by some recycling companies. These batteries may no longer be active enough for use but they are valuable to an entire industry of battery recyclers seeking to recycle and reuse instead of mining for these basic raw materials.

Can i sell my old lithium batteries

If you have any old or used lithium batteries laying around then you’re in luck. You can sell those batteries for a fair amount with your local battery recycling company. Any old batteries made using lithium are up for sale, could be an old electric car battery or old laptop battery, the more you have the more money you can sell them for.

How is lithium battery recycling

A lot of people may not know this, but Lithium batteries consist of less than 5% lithium and the rest are other valuable metals and materials. During recycling, these batteries undergo a chemical process called “Smelting” which melts and breaks down the battery components. This process releases the components which can then be reused to make new batteries with very little toxic waste.

This process ensures the continual use of basic materials like Cobalt, copper, and manganese which can be incorporated into new battery packs for electric cars, laptops, and smartphones.

Recycling used lithium batteries is the next step in conserving the earth’s valuable resources and by selling your old batteries you’re effectively joining the fight and making raw materials that would otherwise have been wasted available for use.