Top 10 Lithium Battery Recycling Plants in the United States, 2025

Nestled in the heart of Nevada's tech corridor, GreenVolt Recycling Center isn't just a recycling plant—it's a proving ground for the future of lithium battery recovery. What sets GreenVolt apart? Its state-of-the-art li-ion battery breaking and separating equipment , which can handle up to 2,500 kg of batteries per hour. That's enough to process the equivalent of 500 EV batteries every day. The facility uses a dry separation process, meaning it uses 90% less water than traditional wet processes—a critical advantage in drought-prone Nevada.

Walk through GreenVolt's doors, and you'll see a symphony of machinery: shredders that first break down battery packs, followed by air classifiers that separate plastic casings from metal components. The real star, though, is their compact granulator with dry separator equipment , which uses electrostatic separation to pull out lithium, cobalt, and nickel with 99% purity. "We're not just recycling—we're creating a domestic supply chain for battery materials," says plant manager Maria Gonzalez. "Automakers used to import 80% of their lithium; now, we're sending them recycled material that's cheaper and greener."

Sustainability isn't an afterthought here. GreenVolt's air pollution control system equipment captures 99.7% of emissions, and its on-site solar array powers 40% of operations. The plant even repurposes excess heat from processing to warm its offices. It's no wonder the Department of Energy named GreenVolt a "Model Recycling Facility" in 2024.

Detroit is known as the Motor City, so it's only fitting that EverCycle Solutions has become the go-to recycler for the city's EV boom. Located just 10 miles from Ford's Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, EverCycle specializes in end-of-life EV batteries, but it doesn't stop there. The plant also processes lithium-ion batteries from laptops, power tools, and even e-bikes, making it a one-stop shop for Michigan's growing battery ecosystem.

What makes EverCycle a standout? Its hybrid approach: a mix of dry process equipment for mechanical separation and a wet process for extracting lithium from black mass (the powdery residue left after shredding). This "best of both worlds" strategy allows EverCycle to recover 95% of all materials in a battery, including rare earth elements like neodymium from motor magnets. "EV batteries are complex—some parts need dry separation, others need a little water to dissolve binders," explains lead engineer James Chen. "Our system adapts, so we never leave value on the table."

EverCycle's commitment to the community is equally impressive. The plant offers free battery ｄｒｏｐ-off days for local residents and partners with Detroit Public Schools to teach students about circular economy principles. "We want to be more than a facility—we want to be a neighbor," says CEO Marcus Reed. With plans to double capacity by 2026, EverCycle is poised to become the Midwest's largest lithium battery recycling hub.

Blue Horizon Recycling in Charleston is proof that coastal recycling can be both efficient and eco-friendly. This plant focuses on "urban mining"—recovering lithium from small electronics like smartphones, tablets, and power banks. While its hourly capacity (500 kg/hour) is smaller than GreenVolt's, Blue Horizon makes up for it with precision: its circuit board recycling equipment can extract lithium from even the tiniest battery components, like those in smartwatches.

What's unique about Blue Horizon? Its plastic pneumatic conveying system , which whisks plastic waste from the separation line to a secondary processing area, where it's melted down and turned into pellets for new battery casings. "We're closing the loop for plastic, too," says sustainability director Raj Patel. "Instead of sending plastic to landfills, we're turning it into something useful—all within the same facility." The plant also uses water process equipment for cleaning circuit boards, but with a twist: the water is filtered and reused 10 times before being treated and released.

Blue Horizon's location is strategic. Charleston's port makes it easy to import spent batteries from across the Southeast, and its proximity to tech manufacturers in Georgia means recycled materials can be shipped back to factories in as little as 48 hours. "We're cutting down on transportation emissions by keeping everything regional," Patel adds. "It's recycling with a local touch."

Phoenix's LithiumLoop Innovations is on a mission to solve a big problem: what to do with lithium ore and tailings from mining operations. While most recycling plants focus on used batteries, LithiumLoop specializes in lithium ore extraction equipment and tailing ore extraction equipment , turning low-grade ore into high-purity lithium carbonate. "Mining companies used to discard 90% of mined ore as 'waste tailings,'" says founder Dr. Alan Torres. "We saw an opportunity to recover lithium from that waste—and do it without toxic chemicals."

LithiumLoop's secret weapon is its patented dry extraction process, which uses high-pressure air classification and magnetic separation to pull lithium from ore. This eliminates the need for sulfuric acid, a common (and harmful) chemical used in traditional lithium mining. The plant also processes spent batteries, using li battery recycling equipment to recover lithium, which is then blended with ore-derived lithium to create a "hybrid" material for battery makers. "By combining mined and recycled lithium, we can offer a more stable supply," Torres explains. "If battery recycling volumes dip, we can ramp up ore processing, and vice versa."

The facility's air pollution control machines equipment is another standout feature. Dust from ore processing is captured and turned into construction aggregates, while any emissions are treated with activated carbon filters. "We're not just a recycling plant—we're a zero-waste facility," Torres (proudly states). With backing from the Department of the Interior, LithiumLoop is expanding to a second location in Nevada, aiming to supply 10% of America's lithium needs by 2030.

Austin's EcoPower Recovery is all about innovation—and it shows. This plant is the first in the U.S. to use nano ceramic ball for ball mill equipment in battery recycling. These tiny ceramic balls (smaller than a grain of sand) grind battery materials more efficiently than traditional steel balls, reducing energy use by 30%. "Steel balls wear down and contaminate the material," says lead scientist Dr. Lisa Wong. "Nano ceramic balls are harder, last longer, and leave no residue—meaning purer lithium and cobalt for our clients."

EcoPower specializes in "deep recycling," which means it recovers not just metals but also electrolytes—the flammable liquids inside batteries. Using a vacuum distillation process, the plant extracts electrolytes and repurposes them for use in new batteries. "Electrolytes are 40% of a battery's cost, and they're often incinerated or landfilled," Wong says. "By recycling them, we're saving manufacturers millions." The facility also uses hydraulic press machines equipment to compress metal scrap into briquettes, making it easier to ship to smelters.

Community engagement is key here. EcoPower offers free tours to local schools, and its "Battery Amnesty" program lets residents ｄｒｏｐ off old batteries with no questions asked. "We want to make recycling as easy as throwing something away," says outreach coordinator Miguel Santos. "Last year, we collected 50,000 pounds of batteries from Austin residents alone—that's 50,000 pounds that didn't end up in landfills."

Portland's Pacific Rim Recycling is a testament to the power of collaboration. Founded as a joint venture between a local utility company and a battery manufacturer, this plant was built to serve the Pacific Northwest's growing EV market. Its claim to fame? A lithium battery recycling plant with 500-2500kg/hour capacity , making it one of the most scalable facilities on the West Coast. But what really sets it apart is its focus on "cradle-to-cradle" recycling: the plant works directly with automakers to design batteries that are easier to recycle from the start.

Take a tour, and you'll notice something missing: the acrid smell of chemicals. Pacific Rim uses a dry process equipment that relies on mechanical separation and pyrolysis (heating materials in the absence of oxygen) to break down batteries. This not only reduces water use but also eliminates the need for harsh solvents. "We worked with Ford and Tesla to create battery packs with quick-disconnect tabs," says plant engineer Tom Kim. "That cuts down processing time by 50%—and makes our job safer for workers."

The plant's water process equipment is reserved for cleaning rare earth magnets from EV motors, which are then sold to wind turbine manufacturers. "It's a circular economy in action," Kim adds. "EV batteries become wind turbine parts, which generate clean energy—all without leaving Oregon." With plans to add a circuit board recycling plant with dry separator next year, Pacific Rim is poised to become a one-stop shop for all things battery recycling.

Boston's Northeast Battery Recyclers (NBR) is a small but mighty player in the recycling game. Located in a former industrial warehouse, NBR focuses on urban recycling, handling everything from laptop batteries to power tools. What makes it a top contender? Its bulb eater equipment (yes, you read that right) and lamp recycling machines equipment , which complement its lithium battery operations. "In cities, people have more than just batteries to recycle—they have old lamps, bulbs, and electronics," says owner John Higgins. "We wanted to be a one-stop ｄｒｏｐ-off for all household hazardous waste."

NBR's lithium battery operation may be smaller (500 kg/hour), but it's hyper-efficient. The plant uses mechanism cutter equipment to safely open battery packs, avoiding the risk of thermal runaway (a common hazard in battery recycling). "Safety is our number one priority," Higgins says. "We train our staff for 40 hours on battery chemistry before they ever touch a tool." Once opened, batteries are shredded and processed using a dry separation system, with materials sold to local refineries in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Community trust is everything for NBR. The plant offers free pickups for senior centers and schools, and it publishes monthly sustainability reports online. "Transparency builds trust," Higgins notes. "When residents see where their batteries go and how we're protecting the environment, they're more likely to recycle." It's working: NBR's collection volume has grown 200% since 2023, and the city of Boston now requires all electronics stores to partner with NBR for battery take-back programs.

Southwest Energy Recovery (SER) in Albuquerque is all about resilience. Located in a region prone to extreme weather, SER's facility is designed to operate through heatwaves, dust storms, and even power outages. Its secret? A backup solar array and battery storage system (made, of course, from recycled lithium batteries). "We practice what we preach," jokes operations manager Carlos Mendez. "If the grid goes down, we can keep processing for 72 hours straight."

SER specializes in tailing ore extraction equipment and crude ore extraction equipment , working with local mines to recover lithium from waste rock. The plant uses a wet process, but with a twist: it recycles 100% of its water using water process equipment that includes reverse osmosis filters and evaporation ponds. "Water is precious in New Mexico, so we can't afford to waste a ｄｒｏｐ," Mendez explains. The plant also processes spent EV batteries, using hydraulic cutter equipment to safely disassemble packs before shredding.

What really makes SER stand out is its community focus. The plant partners with the Navajo Nation to train tribal members in recycling and mining jobs, and it donates 5% of profits to local environmental groups. "We're not just here to make money—we're here to lift up the community," Mendez says. "When we hire locally and invest locally, everyone wins." With plans to expand into lithium-ion battery recycling for drones (a growing market in the Southwest), SER is proving that rural recycling plants can be just as innovative as their urban counterparts.

Chicago's Midwest Battery Recovery (MBR) is the heart of the Rust Belt's recycling revival. Housed in a former steel mill, MBR has transformed a symbol of industrial decline into a beacon of green innovation. The plant's claim to fame? Its motor recycling machines equipment and motor stator cutter equipment , which recover copper, aluminum, and rare earth magnets from EV motors—components that are often overlooked in traditional battery recycling.

MBR's process starts with shredder and pre-chopper equipment that breaks down battery packs and motors into small pieces. From there, materials go through a series of separators: air classifiers for plastic, magnetic separators for steel, and electrostatic separators for lithium and cobalt. The plant's hydraulic baler equipment then compresses metal scrap into dense bales for shipping to smelters in Indiana and Ohio. "We're turning 'scrap' into 'feedstock,'" says plant manager Elena Rodriguez. "That old EV motor? It's not trash—it's a goldmine of materials."

MBR is also a leader in worker safety. The plant uses robotic arms to handle damaged batteries, reducing the risk of injury, and it offers on-site health clinics for employees. "Our workers are our most valuable asset," Rodriguez says. "We invest in their safety, and they invest in our success." With a capacity of 1,500 kg/hour and plans to add a circuit board recycling plant wcbd-2000a next year, MBR is proving that the Midwest is back in the game—this time, as a leader in green manufacturing.

Rounding out our list is West Coast Lithium Recovery (WCLR) in Los Angeles, a plant that's as diverse as the city it calls home. WCLR processes everything from EV batteries to e-scooter batteries, and it's the only facility in the U.S. that recycles both lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries under one roof. "LA has the most diverse battery waste stream in the country," says CEO Sofia Martinez. "We needed to be versatile to keep up."

For lithium batteries, WCLR uses li-ion battery breaking and separating equipment with a twist: its rotary furnace for paste reduction (typically used in lead-acid recycling) is repurposed to recover lithium from black mass. This cross-pollination of technologies has cut processing costs by 20%. The plant also uses air pollution control system equipment with HEPA filters and scrubbers to ensure emissions meet California's strict air quality standards—no small feat in a state known for tough regulations.

WCLR's location near the Port of Los Angeles gives it a global reach. Recycled materials are shipped to battery factories in Asia and Europe, while domestic automakers like Rivian and Lucid source from WCLR for their California plants. "We're a bridge between local recycling and global supply chains," Martinez says. "And with California mandating 100% recycled content in EV batteries by 2030, we're just getting started."