The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
To help guide $335 million in coming government investments Metal Tech News – August 31, 2022
Less than 20% of current e-waste is recycled. Additionally, roughly 15% gold, 15% silver, and 5% platinum are recovered, with most everything else left in landfill. For every million cell phones recycled, we could recover 35,247 pounds of copper, 772 lb of silver, 75 lb of gold, and 33 lb of palladium, according to Global E-Waste Monitor.
As part of the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Energy is seeking input to help guide the future implementation of $335 million in investments for lithium-ion battery recycling programs.
"Battery recycling doesn't just remove harmful waste from our environment, it also strengthens domestic manufacturing by placing used materials back into the supply chain," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.
As batteries are critical to powering clean energy technologies – from providing energy storage for electricity grids, to zero-emissions transportation, such as electric trucks, buses, or personal vehicles – expanding options for domestic production of clean energy transportation will allow more Americans to benefit from clean transportation, while adding jobs to the clean energy workforce, and further supporting President Biden's decarbonization goals.
"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making big investments in our clean energy and transportation future and securing our supply chain here at home will allow more Americans to benefit from the many clean technologies powered by lithium batteries," added Granholm.
While lithium-ion battery costs have fallen more than 90% since 2008, energy density and performance have rapidly increased, paving the way for an accelerated transition to clean transportation. With global lithium-ion battery markets projected to experience continued growth over the next decade, DOE is working with academia and industry to build a robust and sustainable U.S. battery supply chain.
Toward this goal, DOE has issued a request for information (RFI) that builds upon the department's May announcement of $3.16 billion in funding toward battery cell and pack manufacturing facilities and recycling facilities, as well as $60 million to support second-life applications for batteries once used to power electric vehicles and new processes for recycling materials back into the battery supply chain.
As part of this RFI, the Energy Department is requesting feedback on how federal investments can accelerate the collection, transportation, processing, and recycling of batteries and scrap materials, enable second-life applications of lithium-ion batteries previously used to power electric vehicles, and support high-quality jobs for American workers.
Responses to the RFI are due Oct. 14 by 5:00 pm EST.
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