リモコンや懐中電灯などの機器で家庭でよく使われる使い捨てアルカリ電池は、ほとんどの州でごみとして廃棄可能ですが、経済的な課題にもかかわらずリサイクルオプションが存在します。現代の電池には水銀がなく非有害ですが、カリフォルニア州などの州では埋め立て処分を禁止しています。今後導入される生産者責任延伸法により、リサイクルが無料でアクセスしやすくなることを目指しています。
アメリカ人は毎年おもちゃ、時計、煙探知機などの日常用品のために約30億個の乾電池を購入しており、平均的な人は毎年約8個の家庭用電池を廃棄しています（EPAによると）。これらは主にAA、AAA、C、D型のアルカリ電池で、鋼鉄ケース、二酸化マンガン、亜鉛、水酸化カリウムを含みますが、1996年以来水銀は含まれておらず、連邦レベルで非有害廃棄物に分類されます。
Button cell batteries, small power sources in watches and hearing aids, pose environmental and safety risks if not recycled properly, according to Earth911. The guide emphasizes recovering valuable materials like silver and lithium while preventing fires and child injuries. As of early 2026, eight states plus the District of Columbia have laws requiring producers to fund recycling programs.
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Used batteries from electric vehicles could fulfill two-thirds of China's grid storage requirements by 2050, according to a study by researchers at Tsinghua University. These second-life batteries would charge during periods of abundant renewable energy and release power during peak demand. The approach could reduce costs by 2.5 percent while supporting a shift to carbon-neutral power systems.
A new study indicates that advancements in electric vehicle battery technology will largely offset the impacts of global warming on battery lifespan. Older EV batteries from 2010 to 2018 may see up to a 30 percent reduction in lifespan under extreme warming scenarios, while newer models from 2019 to 2023 should maintain their durability. The research, conducted by University of Michigan scientists, highlights progress in battery management amid rising temperatures.
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A team of researchers examining batteries from Tesla and BYD discovered an unexpected absence of silicon in the anodes, challenging assumptions about improving energy density in electric vehicles. The study, published in Cell Reports Physical Science, compared Tesla's 4680 cylindrical cell with BYD's Blade prismatic cell, revealing key differences in design and performance. These findings offer rare insights into the inner workings of leading EV battery technologies.