Green Junction - Lithium’s Role in Clean Energy

Lithium is one of nature’s smallest elements and the 33rd most abundant element in the earth’s crust. In 1970, the United States joined other countries in approving lithium compounds (mostly as lithium carbonate) in the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder. Lithium is now a necessary part of our advanced technology world.

Lithium is found in rechargeable batteries for cell phones, computers, digital cameras, electric vehicles and more. Since nearly all batteries in electric vehicles contain lithium, it is considered an essential element in the transition to clean energy. Currently, most lithium comes from Australia, Chile and China. Like other minerals, lithium is mined from the earth’s resources, and mining operations are disruptive and polluting. A newly approved lithium mine in California’s “Lithium Valley” was strongly contested by environmentalists concerned about the impact on water resources and air quality.  

Researchers at the Colorado School of Mines recently studied traditional mineral mining operations, which target only specific materials, such as iron. They found that many of these mining processes could be recovering other important minerals. According to their research findings, in one year’s worth of U.S. mine waste, enough lithium is available to power 10 million electric vehicles. Manganese was another valuable element present in abundance in the mine waste.  The research suggests that current mining operations have a greater supply of lithium than the current demand. Further, devising more effective mining operations can reduce energy, pollution and the need for imports, according to the researchers, possibly to the point of zero waste.

The other option to new massive mining operations is to recover valuable minerals from used materials, such as old batteries. Currently, only about 5% of lithium is recycled from used batteries. Meanwhile, a team of Department of Energy scientists has developed a sustainable, lithium recycling process that requires only water and carbon dioxide. It represents one of the numerous government-funded science findings that may assist in reaching society’s cleaner energy needs. All of this begs the question of the necessity of new mining operations that are disruptive to the natural environment.

From Father Cristóbal Fones: “the Pope invites us to reflect on how our actions affect nature, God’s work, and to seek ways of living that foster the restoration and natural balance and harmony between human beings and the environment.”

The materials that we require in our lives are sourced from the earth. One example is lithium, an element used extensively in batteries and medications, which was discussed in the last GJ column. When nature’s resources are recovered from used products (waste) and reformulated for new products, they are part of a sustainable, circular system of materials. Circular or regenerative systems honor the value of resources as opposed to most of the current linear systems that discard used materials in landfills. Circular systems create circular economies.

The World Economic Forum defines circular economy as “a paradigm shift in how we do business, focusing on minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.” According to the agency, the world can realize up to $4.5 trillion savings by 2030 if it adopts a circular economy. Just as important are the improvements for the earth and its inhabitants in a circular economy. The current linear system requires unsustainable mining of resources that destroys ecosystems and degrades natural systems. Land and resources are mismanaged, leaving future generations with substantial problems.

In the state of Indiana, an organization called Circular Indiana works on conversions to sustainable, circular processes. “CIRCULAR INDIANA is focused on education and advocacy to strengthen the circular economy.” I recently had the opportunity to attend their annual conference that discussed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs. These are not familiar programs in Indiana, but have been adopted in other states and other places around the world. EPR policies require that manufacturers take responsibility for the end of life management of products.

This takes us back to the lithium ion batteries (and other batteries). This past June, Nebraska joined other states by implementing the Safe Battery Collection and Recycling Act, a law to ensure the safe collection and recycling of batteries by the producers. To ensure a circular system, a component of the law prohibits improper disposal methods like landfilling or incinerating batteries. Circular systems benefit everyone and protect our Common Home. If you live in Indiana, contact your state representatives and ask them to support a similar law in Indiana.