Lithium batteries are often portrayed as a "Green" battery technology. This would imply that there is already a comprehensive recycling infrastructure in place for lithium batteries right?
WRONG!
At present, only around 3% are recycled.
Not very impressive due to the projected growth and demand for lithium batteries to power electric cars and such.
And at what cost to the environment? Cobalt is used in lithium-ion batteries that power high energy consumer devices
like cell phones and laptops. Many ethical questions can be raised about the procurement of cobalt.
Interesting lithium battery facts:
There is actually NO lithium metal in a Lithium-Ion battery. The ions from the lithium are incorporated into the
batteries host materials.
The electrolyte is a flammable solvent!
You need a Class D fire extinguisher to put a lithium battery fire out! (Dreamliner Jet anyone...)
You cannot use a conventional "battery tender" to recharge a lithium power sport battery
Let's move to the issue of safety. Lithium batteries have been featured in the news many times catching on fire. I have witnessed them leaking and it is very toxic. Lithium battery manufactures have yet to solve the thermal runaway issue, which is the cause of fires. During a lithium battery fire, hydrogen flouride gas is produced. But the bigger hazard during a lithium battery fire is the surrounding material that can easily go up in flames!
I am not down on lithium battery technology. It is in obvious need of improving so that no one can be harmed by them,
let alone the harm on our planet without a proper recycling program.
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