Battery waste disposal challenges in small island states and emerging solutions

This report examines the challenges small island nations face in managing end-of-life (EOL) electric vehicle (EV) batteries, highlighting logistical, regulatory, and technical barriers. It discusses the necessity of specialized workforces and the complexities of international transport, while presenting Bermuda's phased strategy as a potential model for other remote regions.

• Global EV adoption is increasing rapidly, with 25% of cars sold globally in 2025 being electric and a projection that the global fleet will grow more than sixfold by 2035. This trend is expected to result in 1.2 million EV batteries reaching end-of-life (EOL) by 2030, increasing to 14 million by 2040.
• Island nations face specific obstacles in EOL battery management, including a lack of specialized workforces, space constraints for local processing, and a small market size that prevents the use of business models based on scale. The diversity of battery formats further complicates handling, as different types require specific tools and training.
• Transporting battery waste from islands to processing hubs involves complex regulatory frameworks. Marine shipment is governed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, and cross-border transfers are managed by the Basel Convention. For Caribbean islands exporting to the United States, requirements include Coast Guard approval and adherence to US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration guidelines, with land transport regulated by the US Department of Transportation under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 173.
• While shredding batteries before transport can simplify logistics by removing flammable components and preserving minerals, current shredding equipment is designed for volumes of several thousand metric tons, which exceeds the current capacity of most island waste facilities.
• Bermuda is implementing a phased national EV waste strategy to address these challenges. The near-term plan involves shipping EOL batteries to the United States while volumes remain low, while simultaneously planning for the development of on-island shredding facilities as volumes increase over the next ten years.

APA

RMI (2026). Battery waste disposal challenges in small island states and emerging solutions. https://rmi.org/resources/evs-are-coming-to-island-nations-what-happens-when-they-retire/

Chicago

RMI. Battery waste disposal challenges in small island states and emerging solutions. 2026. https://rmi.org/resources/evs-are-coming-to-island-nations-what-happens-when-they-retire/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Battery waste disposal challenges in small island states and emerging solutions |date=23 June 2026 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/evs-are-coming-to-island-nations-what-happens-when-they-retire/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2026battery, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Battery waste disposal challenges in small island states and emerging solutions}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/evs-are-coming-to-island-nations-what-happens-when-they-retire/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }