Batteries

Lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries

The lead-acid battery has electrodes immersed in a sulphuric acid solution that is durable and recyclable. These batteries are found in certain thermal vehicles or computers. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, have  been developed more recently and are based on the exchange of lithium between a positive electrode (a lithium transition metal oxide) and a negative graphite electrode. However, it is now found in laptops and electric cars.

The environmental impact of a lead acid battery

The higher the quality of a lead-acid battery, the higher the proportion of pure lead it contains, which has dire planetary and human health consequences.
 

The environmental impact of a lithium battery

Lithium batteries are present in many products and the extraction of lithium, which uses a lot of water, leads to numerous problems, including soil pollution and plundering of water reserves.

 

What are the environmental disadvantages?

Intensive extraction: Mining required to extract minerals for batteries are open-pit mining and brine extraction which can cause erosion and pollution.
 

-Open-pit mining: In order to use open pit mining vegetation must be cleared away, which causes corrosion. Mining can create toxic soils and dust with high concentrations of heavy metals which then can become contaminants that may cause illness.
-Brine extraction: Brine extraction drains water from natural underground reserves of drinking water which drains water and also requires toxic chemicals to process lithium. The release of these chemicals harms air, soil, and water quality.
 

Electronic waste: When lithium-ion batteries are disposed of, they become electronic waste, also known as e-waste, which has been declared to be one of the most pressing issues for environmental and human health by the United Nations. Much electronic waste is not disposed of properly and devices end up in commercial waste or landfills. The batteries disposed of in commercial waste and landfills may also cause large fires.

  End of Use and Circular Economy:

• Recycling a lead acid battery
  Most lead-acid batteries, the most widely used batteries, are recyclable. With these batteries, the lead is recovered, as well as the plastic tray of the battery. The electrolyte, which is the liquid at the bottom of the battery made up of acid and water,  can be recovered and reused. Finally, the recovery of old batteries for recycling is coupled with the delivery of new batteries.
   

• Recycling a lithium-ion battery
  The recycling of lithium-ion batteries is more complicated and they are hardly ever or not - recycled.