Battery and Critical Mineral Recycling Grant Program

Country / jurisdiction: United States · Year: 2024 · Status: In force · Level: National · Type: Voluntary

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains is implementing a USD 125 million grant programme to advance battery and critical mineral recycling through research, development, and demonstration projects, with specific funding streams targeting consumer electronics battery collection and recycling infrastructure.

The grant programme stems from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and President Biden's Investing in America agenda, addressing the crucial need for sustainable battery management as battery usage increases across consumer electronics, transportation, and energy storage sectors. Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, and graphite, commonly found in consumer electronic batteries, are essential for domestic manufacturing and energy security, making their recovery and recycling a national priority.

The grant programme has allocated funding across multiple streams, with USD 61.7 million already distributed in March 2024 to 17 projects spanning three topic areas: consumer participation expansion (USD 14.4 million), recycling economics improvement (USD 40.1 million), and state and local programme development (USD 7.2 million). Additionally, a reopened funding opportunity of USD 15 million specifically targets retailers to establish or enhance battery collection programmes, focusing on practical aspects such as collection, handling, sorting, storage, and transportation, without requiring industrial recycling processes. Eligible activities under the broader programme include developing innovative recycling methodologies, enhancing battery design for improved dismantling, implementing consumer engagement strategies, and establishing protocols for environmental protection and worker safety.

This grant programme aims to transform America's battery recycling infrastructure by creating accessible collection points through retailers, establishing efficient recycling processes, and developing circular supply chains for critical minerals.

Official source: https://www.energy.gov/mesc/battery-and-critical-mineral-recycling