The Effects of End-of-Life Electric Car Lithium Batteries on the Waste Stream, EPR Programs, and the Reverse Supply Chain

Abstract

With the increasing concern for human and environmental health issues derived from electronic waste (e-waste) disposal, stakeholders have begun implementing recycling take-back programs. These take-back initiatives aim to reduce the number of electronics reaching landfills. One particular type of e-waste, lithium batteries from electric vehicles, still lies in its infancy. With numerous predictions estimating an annual disposal rate of 500,000 batteries per year by the early 2020s, there is a true need to begin proactively preparing for the handling of these waste products. The manuscript provides research on the unique attributes of these batteries and seeks to find an answer as to how the recycling of these batteries should be addressed. The research provides support for several hypotheses regarding the way in which these batteries and their attributes will affect disposal and the creation of a take-back system. The end goal is to provide stakeholders information on how supply chain operations will be affected by the implementation of a take-back initiative.