Management strategies and recycling technologies: Lessons learned and roadmap for sustainable circular battery waste management in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Waste battery generation is a global challenge, particularly in the absence of a structured policy and regulatory framework. However, this waste stream presents a significant opportunity to recover critical metals that are limited in supply worldwide, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and manganese. This study provides the first academic assessment of waste battery generation, policy initiatives, and management practices in Saudi Arabia. Currently, there is no concrete policy framework or systematic assessment addressing waste battery management in the country, which poses significant challenges for implementing sustainable solutions. This study aims to guide policymakers, government organizations, businesses, and academic researchers by offering management strategies and technology options tailored to the Saudi context. It begins by assessing the current state of waste battery generation, policy initiatives, and management practices, identifying critical bottlenecks in the existing system. The study then conducts an in-depth evaluation of best-practice policies and management strategies, such as the EU Battery Regulation, case studies (e.g., INOBAT, Switzerland; BEBAT, Belgium), and the technologies employed by 49 global commercial recycling companies, including pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy. Based on these insights, the study proposes a roadmap for waste battery management in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, several future research directions are suggested to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, offering valuable guidance to academic researchers. Policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders can utilize these findings to develop sustainable and efficient waste battery management and recycling strategies.