New metal extraction technique could offer an eco-friendly solution for battery waste

As global energy demands continue to rise, the role of batteries is becoming increasingly critical. However, the improper disposal of spent batteries poses significant environmental hazards due to their metal content.

According to the researchers, recycling these metals not only mitigates environmental risks but also provides a sustainable source of valuable materials.

The paper, published in the Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, presents a technique for the extraction of potassium, zinc and manganese that the researchers claim is cheaper and more energy-efficient than other existing methods.

In a statement, Noelia Muñoz García, a researcher at the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada, and lead author of the study, said: “We focused on the extraction of the main minerals present in alkaline batteries because they represent over 70 per cent of the volume of spent batteries in North America.

“This research supports the principles of the circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled, creating a closed-loop system. This reduces waste and can lead to long-term economic sustainability by maximising the utility of resources, which is one of the main objectives in current treaties such as the Paris Agreement.”