Abstract
The number of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) being put out into the market, and subsequently disposed of, is expected to increase significantly in the future. Thus, there is a growing international interest in the recycling of these resources. This study focuses on the legal systems behind LIB recycling, reviewing international trends and presenting a case in the European Union (EU) that has in recent years further strengthened its own legal framework.
By evaluating the Battery Directive process and proposing what is known as the Battery Regulation, the EU is promoting resource recycling in a move toward realizing a circular economy and carbon neutrality. Furthermore, the practical aspects of collecting waste batteries in the EU are discussed here, using the French example as a case study.
