EVBatteryRecycling
Manufacturing ClusterTennessee, United States

EV battery recycling in Chattanooga

Volkswagen ID.4 assembly and pack line. Collections are run from Detroit — Michigan Closed-Loop Plant.

EV battery recycling context in United States

Pickup SLA

36 h

Coverage radius

117 km

Packs retiring / year

11,084

Catchment estimate

Active local names

1

Production scrap & line returns

Who we collect from in Chattanooga

Manufacturing clusters generate production scrap and off-spec cells during line ramp-up, warranty returns from early vehicles, and validation packs from test tracks. The material is usually single-chemistry and well documented, which makes it some of the cleanest feed in the network.

Manufacturing Cluster EV battery collection scene
Volkswagen Group of America
  • Cell and pack assembly plants
  • Tier-one module suppliers
  • Vehicle assembly lines
  • Validation and test centres
Process

How a Chattanooga collection runs

We run scheduled scrap collections from plant gates and tier-one suppliers, with dedicated bins per chemistry and a weighbridge reconciliation against each supplier's scrap log. Off-spec cells that never entered a vehicle are graded separately because their value profile is different from end-of-life packs.

  1. 1

    Book the consignment

    Share pack counts, chemistry and approximate state of health. We return an indicative value split and a slotted collection window.

  2. 2

    Compliant pickup

    Class 9 certified transport with a pre-filled dangerous goods declaration, transporter authorisation and chain-of-custody sheet. Weekly or fortnightly scheduled scrap runs.

  3. 3

    Grading via Detroit, Michigan

    Every module is tested for capacity, DC resistance and impedance so value is set on measurement, not on age.

  4. 4

    Certificate issued

    A recovery certificate with achieved percentages per metal and downstream vendor disclosure, for reporting under EPA universal waste rules, DOT hazardous materials regulations and state programmes.

Compliance

The rules in United States

EPA universal waste rules, DOT hazardous materials regulations and state programmes

Regulator: EPA, DOT PHMSA and state environmental agencies

The US has no federal extended producer responsibility law for EV batteries. Lithium-ion batteries can be managed under EPA's universal waste rules, transport follows DOT PHMSA hazardous materials regulations, and states such as California and New Jersey are moving towards producer responsibility for EV batteries. Recycled material processed in North America can also count towards IRA critical mineral requirements.

  • Manage retired batteries under universal waste or state hazardous waste rules
  • Package, mark and document shipments under 49 CFR hazardous materials rules
  • Track state-specific EV battery take-back and reporting requirements
  • Keep chain-of-custody evidence to support IRA critical mineral sourcing claims

Watch-out

Mixed scrap bins and undocumented off-spec cells are the main compliance risk; each plant gets chemistry-labelled containers to prevent it.
Packs

Packs we collect around Chattanooga

Including models from manufacturers active in this area.

FAQ

Recycling in Chattanooga: common questions

Where can I recycle an EV battery in Chattanooga?

Retired EV packs in Chattanooga are collected on a 36-hour SLA across a 117 km radius and processed through Detroit — Michigan Closed-Loop Plant. Book a pickup and the despatch desk confirms a window within one working day.

How much does EV battery recycling cost in Chattanooga?

Most healthy packs carry positive value rather than a cost: modules above 75% state of health settle at second-life rates and the remainder settles against contained metal. Heavily damaged packs can carry a handling charge.

Which rules apply to battery waste in Chattanooga?

EPA universal waste rules, DOT hazardous materials regulations and state programmes, overseen by EPA, DOT PHMSA and state environmental agencies. Shipments follow DOT PHMSA 49 CFR requirements, with damaged or defective batteries under stricter special permits and packaging.

What kind of material do you collect in Chattanooga?

As a manufacturing cluster, Chattanooga mainly produces production scrap & line returns. Collections run weekly or fortnightly scheduled scrap runs.

Retiring packs in Chattanooga?

Pickups within 36 hours across 117 km, with dangerous goods paperwork pre-filled.