As the world shifts toward renewable energy, there’s one little-talked-about challenge we can’t ignore: what happens to all the batteries when they’re no longer in use? At Powin, we’re turning this challenge into an opportunity for a more sustainable future. Beyond designing energy storage systems, we’re focused on the entire lifecycle of our products, including battery recycling. Sustainability isn’t just a goal at Powin. It’s a core part of who we are.
Battery Recycling with Real Impact
Powin’s battery recycling program goes beyond just collecting old batteries. It entails reclaiming valuable resources that would otherwise end up as waste. By partnering with industry leaders in lithium-ion battery recycling, we’re maximizing the recovery of critical materials while minimizing environmental harm.
The recycling processes used for Powin batteries are built for efficiency, recovering up to 95% of battery-grade materials. Operations follow a “Spoke & Hub” model. Spoke facilities shred batteries and separate materials, and Hub facilities process these materials to recover high-value chemicals.
Learn More: Download Our Comprehensive Battery Recycling Brochure
We know it’s about more than how much we recycle. It’s about the environmental impact of our efforts. Recycling our batteries substantially reduces emissions and resource usage compared to mining for and refining new battery materials. Here’s a breakdown of our impact:
Recycling of Powin batteries results in impressive emission and resource-use reductions
These numbers speak to the power of recycling. By recovering materials like lithium from used batteries, we’re reducing the need for new mining operations and making our environmental footprint smaller. From our point of view, every recycled battery is part of preserving the planet’s resources for future generations.
A Circular Approach to Battery Production
Recycling is just one part of the equation. Powin’s battery recycling efforts are part of a larger vision for a closed-loop system where reclaimed materials are continuously reintegrated into new production. This circular approach will enable us to reduce environmental harm and keep valuable materials in circulation. From batteries to electronics and metals, we’re working diligently to ensure that every component of our energy storage systems is responsibly managed at the end of its life.
Safety First: Responsible Handling Every Step of the Way
Safety is always at the forefront of what we do. Our Field Services team and other trained employees are certified in hazardous materials handling. They are proficient in storing, transporting, and disposing of lithium batteries, ensuring that end-of-life batteries are managed safely and efficiently from the customer’s location to the recycling facility.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP): Safer, Greener Chemistry
Our decision to adopt lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry in our batteries from our inception was a deliberate move toward a safer, greener future. LFP batteries offer a strong safety profile and are easier to recycle than other lithium-ion chemistries. Here’s why:
- Enhanced thermal stability reduces the risk of thermal runaway
- Lower risk of overheating or fire
- No cobalt or nickel, addressing ethical and environmental concerns
- Made from more abundant, less toxic materials
By choosing LFP technology, Powin has improved the safety of energy storage while also making it easier to reclaim and reuse materials in the future. And, with an expected lifespan of 20 years, LFP batteries are designed to support long-term renewable energy projects.
Leading the Charge in Sustainable Energy
Sustainability is a journey, and Powin is committed to staying ahead of the curve. Our team continuously innovates to improve battery life, enhance system efficiency, and minimize environmental impact. In addition to our recycling efforts, we’re completing a comprehensive product lifecycle analysis to refine our sustainable practices further. This analysis will help us make smarter decisions about the materials we use and how we handle them at the end of their lifecycle.
Powering a Cleaner Future
The demand for energy storage is growing rapidly, and with it comes the responsibility to manage the environmental impact of that growth. At Powin, we’re committed to leading by example. Our battery recycling program is just one part of our broader sustainability efforts, but it’s a critical one. Every battery we recycle is a step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
We envision a world where all batteries are part of a closed-loop system—where materials are continuously recycled and reused, minimizing environmental harm and conserving resources. We’re not just imagining that future. We’re building it, one battery at a time.
Interested in learning more? Download Powin’s Brochure on Battery Recycling and see how we’re turning our vision into reality.
Christopher Lenda, Director, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) at Powin
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