Reports indicate that the process of approval has neared its final stages. This moved us to examine where these batteries originate. We asked Perplexity.ai to search the web for answers with the query "What american companies' products generate large volumes of waste lithium batteries? If possible list the top 10."
Results suggest that recycling may in the long term be a better solution, leading to the conclusion that requiring interim storage by manufacturers might create a greater impetus for them to solve the problem without permanently contaminating anyone's back yard. Of course this would go against the common tendency of industry to externalize negative effects (dump the problem on the public; can you say Love Canal?) would lead to reduced profits for device makers and would be strongly resisted, which in the current political environment could bode ill for the natural environment.
Perplexity replied, with a bit of additional background:
Based on the search results, I can identify several American companies whose products contribute significantly to lithium battery waste, though there isn't a definitive ranked list of the top 10 by volume. Here's what we can determine about major sources of lithium battery waste in the United States:
Major Contributors to Lithium Battery Waste
Current Recycling Landscape
Several American companies are actively involved in lithium battery recycling to address this growing waste stream:
The search results indicate that there is currently "a war for batteries" among recyclers in North America, with recycling capacity (estimated at around 230,000 tonnes of lithium-ion battery shredding capacity in the US in 2024) far exceeding the available feedstock (expected to be just 90,000 tonnes of scrap batteries from end-of-life and manufacturing scrap).
It's worth noting that the EV battery recycling market is still developing, as there aren't yet many end-of-life used EV batteries in the recycling stream. There is a considerable time lag between when EVs are produced and when their batteries reach end-of-life.
Major Contributors to Lithium Battery Waste
- Battery Manufacturers
- Currently, the largest source of recyclable lithium battery material in the US is not from consumer products but from manufacturing facilities. According to Thomas Frey, director of communications for lithium battery recycler Ascend Elements, "Today, the biggest source of recyclable lithium battery material is gigafactory manufacturing scrap." Battery gigafactories typically have an 8-10% scrap rate during production, creating significant volumes of waste that require recycling.
- Electric Vehicle Manufacturers
- While specific rankings aren't provided, several major American EV manufacturers likely contribute significantly to lithium battery waste:
- Tesla - As one of the largest American EV manufacturers, Tesla's production inevitably generates substantial battery manufacturing scrap. Tesla is mentioned as one of the top US-based battery materials companies through its subsidiary Kato Road, LLC.
- General Motors - As a major American automaker transitioning to EVs, GM likely generates significant battery waste both from manufacturing and eventually from end-of-life vehicles. The search results mention GM has partnerships with recyclers like Li-Cycle.
- Ford - Another major American automaker with growing EV production that would contribute to battery waste streams.
- Tesla - As one of the largest American EV manufacturers, Tesla's production inevitably generates substantial battery manufacturing scrap. Tesla is mentioned as one of the top US-based battery materials companies through its subsidiary Kato Road, LLC.
- Consumer Electronics Companies
- While not specifically ranked in the search results, American consumer electronics companies likely contribute significantly to lithium battery waste:
- Apple - Their widespread smartphones, tablets, and laptops contain lithium batteries that eventually enter the waste stream.
- Dell/HP/Microsoft - Major American computer manufacturers whose products contain lithium batteries.
- Apple - Their widespread smartphones, tablets, and laptops contain lithium batteries that eventually enter the waste stream.
Current Recycling Landscape
Several American companies are actively involved in lithium battery recycling to address this growing waste stream:
- Redwood Materials: Founded by Tesla co-founder J.B. Straubel, this company recycles more than 6 GWh of lithium-ion batteries annually in its Nevada facility.
- American Battery Technology Company (ABTC): Based in Nevada, ABTC has been building a facility with the capacity to process 20,000 metric tons of recyclable material per year.
- Cirba Solutions: With multiple plants in North America, Cirba Solutions is described as "one of the largest producers of black mass from recycled batteries".
- Battery Resourcers: Opening what was planned to be North America's largest battery recycling facility in Covington, Georgia, with capacity to process 30,000 metric tons of discarded lithium-ion batteries and scrap per year.
- Ascend Elements: Planning a facility in Kentucky that will convert black mass to battery precursors and cathode material, eventually producing enough for 250,000 electric vehicles per year.
The search results indicate that there is currently "a war for batteries" among recyclers in North America, with recycling capacity (estimated at around 230,000 tonnes of lithium-ion battery shredding capacity in the US in 2024) far exceeding the available feedstock (expected to be just 90,000 tonnes of scrap batteries from end-of-life and manufacturing scrap).
It's worth noting that the EV battery recycling market is still developing, as there aren't yet many end-of-life used EV batteries in the recycling stream. There is a considerable time lag between when EVs are produced and when their batteries reach end-of-life.
Noting the presence of Tesla in the list of manufacturers, it seems unlikely that any role for the federal government in environmental protection for the affected area will be a factor, for reasons that will be clear to anyone currently drawing breath. —Ed.