As batteries play an ever-larger role in meeting society’s daily energy needs, evaluating and understanding life cycle impacts is increasingly important. Batteries are used in everything from electric vehicles to homes to industrial-scale energy storage. The total volume of materials, from initial resource extraction through manufacturing, use and recycling, requires careful and continuous consideration of how to make batteries more sustainable. The Responsible Battery Coalition, and its members and partners, create initiatives and programs to develop and strengthen a closed-loop, circular economy for batteries.
In partnership with the University of Michigan, the Responsible Battery Coalition developed ten "Green Principles" for managing the full lifecycle of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. These ten principles will help guide environmentally responsible EV battery manufacturing, use, and end-of-life management.
More InfoChoose battery chemistry to minimize life cycle environmental impact
Minimize production burden per energy service
Minimize consumptive use of critical and scarce materials
Maximize battery round-trip efficiency
Maximize battery energy density to reduce vehicle operational energy
Design and operate battery systems to maximize service life and limit degradation
Minimize hazardous material exposure, emissions and ensure safety
Market, deploy, and charge electric vehicles in cleaner grids
Choose powertrain and vehicle types to maximize life cycle environmental benefits
Design for end-of-life and material recovery
Recycling your used vehicle battery is quick and easy. Just drop it off at a local retailer – including our member retailers AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, and Advance Auto Parts – and they’ll do the rest. Many retailers will grant you a store credit for your used battery even if you don’t purchase a new one.* Click one of the logos below to find the retailer nearest you.
More than 99 percent of the materials in a used battery can be recycled to make new batteries and other products. From lead to plastics, the battery components are processed to produce materials for new batteries, including internal grids, battery casings, and electrical components, as well as plastic containers for other products, such as cleaners.
This recycling process goes on indefinitely. The materials in your new vehicle battery have likely been, and will continue to be, recycled.
