Lithium-ion batteries are becoming increasingly common across business technology. Laptops, tablets, smartphones, UPS systems, power tools, scanners, networking equipment, and many other devices now contain batteries that require specialized handling at the end of their useful life.
While these advancements improve performance and reduce costs, they also introduce new considerations for organizations responsible for retiring electronic equipment. Many businesses have well-established processes for protecting sensitive data, but fewer have evaluated whether their electronics recycling process has kept pace with today’s battery technologies.
A recent NPR article highlighted how changing battery chemistries are reshaping the recycling industry. While the article focused primarily on electric vehicle batteries, the broader takeaway applies across the electronics industry: as battery technology evolves, so do the requirements for safely and responsibly managing these materials at the end of their useful life. The article also notes that recycling infrastructure continues to adapt as newer battery chemistries become more common and present different handling and processing challenges.
Battery Recycling Is Not a One-Size-Fits-All Process
“Lithium-ion battery” is a broad category that includes several different battery chemistries. Those chemistries differ in their composition, transportation requirements, handling procedures, and recycling processes.
Organizations should not assume every battery-powered device follows the same recycling path. Some battery chemistries require different packaging, documentation, or downstream processing than others. As technology continues to evolve, responsible recycling increasingly depends on proper identification, safe handling, and qualified downstream recycling partners.
Technology Refreshes Are Becoming More Complex
For many organizations, battery-powered devices now make up a significant portion of every technology refresh.
That means retiring equipment involves more than securely destroying data. Organizations should also consider how batteries will be packaged, transported, documented, and processed after collection. Addressing these considerations during project planning—not after equipment has accumulated—can reduce safety risks, simplify logistics, and help ensure compliance with applicable environmental and transportation requirements.
The article also pointed out that many battery recycling facilities are still adapting to newer battery technologies, making it increasingly important to understand how retired batteries will be managed after they leave your organization.
Due Diligence Matters
Most organizations carefully evaluate vendors that handle confidential information. The same level of due diligence should apply to the environmental management of retired electronics.
When evaluating an electronics recycling provider, consider asking:
- How are battery-powered devices handled after collection?
- Who performs the downstream recycling?
- Is the process documented and traceable?
- What certifications or environmental standards do downstream partners maintain?
- How are changing transportation and regulatory requirements addressed?
Understanding these processes helps reduce risk while supporting both security and sustainability objectives.
Looking Ahead
Battery technology will continue to evolve, and end-of-life management practices will continue evolving with it. Organizations that periodically review their electronics recycling process—not just their data destruction procedures—will be better prepared as new battery technologies become more common in the workplace.
SEAM helps organizations securely manage retired batteries, lamps, computers, servers, mobile devices, networking equipment, and other electronic assets through certified data destruction, documented chain of custody, and responsible downstream recycling. Whether you’re planning a technology refresh or reviewing your current electronics recycling process, our team can help ensure your retired assets are managed securely, responsibly, and in accordance with industry best practices.
Levi Hentges is the Vice President / Development at SEAM. He helps clients build and manage their IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) programs to comply with legal, corporate and environmental requirements surrounding their technology devices; including asset recovery and resale, data destruction and secure electronics recycling.