Clean-energy technologies require minerals such as copper, cobalt, lithium and nickel. An International Energy Agency analysis says wider recycling could reduce the need for new mining by 25 to 40 percent by mid-century. Recovered minerals also produce substantially fewer greenhouse-gas emissions on average than materials obtained from primary mining. The possible savings vary by mineral because supply chains, product lifetimes and recovery rates differ.
However, recycling cannot remove the need for investment in mines and refineries because demand is still rising. Capacity is growing faster than the supply of used batteries in some markets, while other regions lack suitable facilities. Poorly managed recycling may also pollute water and release harmful emissions. Recycling policy must therefore address both industrial growth and public safety. Clear regulations, collection systems and environmental standards are necessary to turn discarded equipment into secure resources.