EV battery waste threatens to overwhelm China's recycling system

As electric cars become more popular, China, a major destination for used EV batteries, is seeing a sharp rise in EV battery waste that threatens to overwhelm its recycling system.

As Derek Harrison explains in Inside Climate News, "China began building a recycling system early and has created enough nominal capacity to handle the emerging wave. But much of the country’s used-battery supply continues to flow through uncertified recyclers, which poses serious environmental and safety risks linked to contamination and improper disposal." Now, estimates project that China could process over 22 million metric tons of EV battery waste by 2040.

Informal recyclers undercut certified operators, often reusing battery components and selling them for reuse, putting new users at risk. According to Harrison, "China could significantly improve those outcomes by requiring automakers to take greater responsibility for battery recycling, imposing stricter controls on informal recyclers, and offering incentives to consumers and certified recyclers."