61. From AA to EV: How Battery Recycling Builds a Circular Supply Chain

In this episode, Stephanie McLarty sits down with Danielle Spalding from Cirba Solutions to dive deep into the world of battery recycling and its vital role in the circular economy. With over 35 years of experience, Cirba Solutions is at the forefront of domestic battery processing in North America, handling everything from common household alkalines to complex electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

Key Takeaways

• Circular Economy & Critical Minerals: How recycling batteries recovers valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel to strengthen the domestic supply chain and reduce reliance on virgin mining.
• From Batteries to Agriculture: An inside look at how recycled alkaline batteries are transformed into micronutrients to help grow crops like corn and soybeans.
• Safety & Education: The importance of properly preparing batteries for recycling—including the “clear tape” method—and why you should never throw batteries in your curbside bins.
• The Evolving Policy Landscape: A look at the future of battery technology and the policies, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), that are shaping the industry.