A survey of 1,054 US adults found that 91% would recycle lithium batteries if the process were as easy as disposal. Cirba Solutions also recorded an approximately 18% increase from 2024 in respondents who did not know how or where to recycle batteries, while 84% responded to critical-mineral supply messaging.
| Research issuer | Survey sample | Recycling intent | Knowledge gap | Mineral awareness | EV education | Survey period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cirba Solutions | 1,054 US adults | 91% with easier access | Up 18% from 2024 | 84% influenced | Two-thirds lacked guidance | May 22–27, 2026 |
Commissioned by Cirba Solutions, a US-based battery recycling and critical-material recovery company, the consumer research identified a gap between Americans' willingness to recycle lithium batteries and their knowledge of available disposal methods. The study found that 99% of Americans use a lithium-powered device each day, but many respondents did not know how or where to recycle its battery.
The company’s latest study, The Missing Link: Consumer Awareness in the Battery Life Cycle, continues research first undertaken in 2024. According to the results, 91% of Americans would recycle lithium batteries if the process were no harder than throwing them away. Despite this willingness, the share of respondents lacking knowledge about proper battery disposal methods and locations grew by approximately 18% from the previous survey.
The main difficulties reported were insufficient collection points, confusion over preparing batteries and safety risks associated with their storage and transportation. Cirba Solutions explained that its education programmes address these issues by covering battery identification, recycling preparation and collection-site searches.
The company operates a collection network involving retailers, municipalities and manufacturers. It also holds collection events at its facilities and supports community collection drives with schools, municipalities and local organisations. Free educational materials are distributed through its website and community outreach team, while WeRecycle Battery Boxes are available for consumer battery collection.
Cirba Solutions' processing facilities recover lithium, nickel and cobalt from scrap and end-of-life batteries. The recovered materials are returned to battery and manufacturing supply chains for use in products including new batteries. The company connected this process with reduced reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals and increased domestic material availability.
That explanation influenced recycling intent among respondents. The study found that 84% would be more likely to recycle batteries if they knew the activity could reduce US dependence on foreign critical minerals.
The study also examined electric vehicle battery awareness. Two-thirds of current EV owners reported that they had not received education about battery safety or recycling when purchasing their vehicles. Cirba Solutions said it was working with EV manufacturers, dealers and automotive dismantlers to address the information gap.
The online survey was conducted from May 22 to 27, 2026, among 1,054 US adults aged 18 to 65. The research used a 95% confidence level and reported a margin of error of plus or minus 4%.
Cirba Solutions recovers critical materials from scrap and end-of-life batteries and returns processed materials to battery and manufacturing supply chains.