• @fl42v@lemmy.ml
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    2315 hours ago

    A recent report from Stanford University in the US, published in the journal Nature Communications, found that recycling lithium-ion batteries is far more environmentally friendly than mining for new materials.

    Huh, who knew

    • ✺roguetrick✺
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      1392 days ago

      Because externalities of lithium extraction like using aquifers for evaporation ponds and the pollution from the leftover brine aren’t included in the cost of new lithium production, thus making less environmentally impactful methods of recovery too expensive to justify.

        • dual_sport_dork 🐧🗡️
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          622 days ago

          Note that this is not a catch with this recycling process (necessarily, anyway; the article doesn’t get into too many specifics) but rather an end-run to make lithium mining and refining appear less awful than it actually is.

          Mining new lithium may be “cheaper” in raw dollars and cents provided only you don’t include the environmental impact or the costs of dealing with the same as a line item on the invoice.

          • Riddick3001
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            2 days ago

            lithium mining and refining appear less awful than it actually is.

            So do I undertand you correctly it’s just an “eventuality option simulation” to lower the environmental footprint?

            Like for example the listed WLTP* Kw/h / fuel consumption of cars in perfect (lab)conditions which never exist?

            *Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure

    • Kichae
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      322 days ago

      It’s probably not cheaper than just shooting orphans for sport.

        • @Darkenfolk
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          112 hours ago

          You don’t need to shoot them with a gun. Bow and arrows allows for more skill expression and are renewable alternatives. Not to mention that it is a great workout routine.

    • @Omgpwnies@lemmy.world
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      92 days ago

      When refining a process, it becomes exponentially more difficult and expensive the closer you get to 100% efficiency. 0-95% costs less than 95-99%, which costs less than 99%-99.99%

      • @zergtoshi@lemmy.world
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        112 hours ago

        Unless you find/invent a new procedure that’s way more efficient instead of doing more cycles of known procedures.