Up to 78m batteries will be dumped daily by 2025, study warns 

An EU-funded research group, co-coordinated by UCC’s Tyndall National Institute is urging the EU and industry to ensure batteries outlive the devices they power in an effort to tackle the mounting problem of e-waste.

Up to 78 million batteries will be dumped every day by 2025 if the lifespan of batteries powering Internet of Things devices is not radically improved. The stark warning comes from EnABLES, an EU-funded research group, co-coordinated by UCC’s Tyndall National Institute, aims, which aims to extend battery life in a reliable and sustainable way. 

The group is urging the EU and industry to ensure batteries outlive the devices they power in an effort to tackle the mounting problem of e-waste. It will also guarantee safer and more reliable power sources for devices where batteries are not easily changed, such as medical technologies, implantable devices, and technology in harsh and difficult-to-reach environments.