Towards More Sustainable Batteries

Batteries are everywhere in our daily lives: phones, laptops, electric cars, bikes, connected objects, tools. They power our digital lives and the transition to cleaner transportation. But they also raise questions: their limited lifespan (a battery wears out), their resource-intensive manufacturing (sometimes with problematic materials), and their difficult recycling. Facing these challenges, research is advancing toward more SUSTAINABLE batteries: ones that last longer, recharge better, use more responsible materials, and are easier to recycle. Understanding these challenges, without technical expertise, helps make informed choices and better maintain your devices. Let’s see why batteries are a concern, where their improvement is heading, and what you can do at your level.

Why batteries are a concern

Batteries present several challenges; let’s understand them. OMNIPRESENT: batteries are everywhere; phones, laptops, electric cars and bikes, connected objects, tools; they power our digital daily lives and electric mobility; their importance keeps growing; a central issue. A LIMITED LIFESPAN: a battery WEARS OUT over time and with recharges; it loses capacity, holds less charge, and eventually needs to be replaced; this wear is inherent; a lifespan issue (we’ll come back to it). DEVICE WEAR: often, it’s the battery that “gives out” first on a device (phone that doesn’t last the day); a worn-out battery can condemn a still-good device; a durability issue. RESOURCE-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING: making batteries requires RESOURCES and MATERIALS (some rare or with environmentally and humanly problematic extraction); their production has an ecological cost; a manufacturing issue. PROBLEMATIC MATERIALS: some batteries use materials whose extraction poses issues (environment, extraction conditions, depletion); hence the search for more responsible materials; a materials issue. DIFFICULT RECYCLING: recycling batteries is complex (but improving); a poorly recycled battery is a polluting waste; improving recycling is a major issue; the end of life matters (we’ll come back to it). The issue of ELECTRIC MOBILITY: the transition to electric cars and bikes relies on batteries; their durability and recycling determine the ecological benefit; a key issue for clean mobility; central for the future. The GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL COST: between manufacturing, usage, and recycling, batteries have an ecological cost to consider; making them more sustainable reduces this cost; the issue is to reconcile usefulness and responsibility; a global challenge. RESEARCH is advancing: facing these challenges, research progresses toward more sustainable, more efficient, more responsible batteries; improvement is underway; the future of batteries is at stake (we’ll come back to it); expected progress. An issue that CONCERNS US: batteries in our devices, in our future vehicles; the issue concerns us as users; understanding helps choose and maintain; we are actors. What’s the POINT of understanding: grasping battery issues (lifespan, manufacturing, recycling) helps make informed choices (purchases, maintenance) and act at your level; awareness guides action. The main idea: batteries, omnipresent in our daily lives (phones, laptops, electric cars and bikes, connected objects), power our digital lives and electric mobility — but they pose important challenges. First, their LIMITED LIFESPAN: a battery wears out over time and with recharges (it loses capacity), and it’s often the first to “give out” on a device, sometimes condemning a still-good device. Then, their RESOURCE-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING (sometimes with problematic materials: extraction posing ecological and human questions). Finally, their COMPLEX RECYCLING (but improving), because a poorly recycled battery is a polluting waste. These challenges are all the more crucial as electric mobility relies on batteries. Facing this, RESEARCH is advancing toward more sustainable, efficient, and responsible batteries. Understanding these challenges, without technical expertise, helps make informed choices (when buying, maintaining) and act at your level: we are all concerned, as users.

Toward more sustainable batteries: the paths

Research is progressing on several fronts for better batteries; here are the main paths. LAST LONGER: a major path; batteries that retain their capacity longer, resist more recharges before wearing out; a battery that lasts means fewer replacements; longevity at the heart. RECHARGE BETTER: faster, more efficient, less damaging recharging; comfort and lifespan improve; better recharging is sought; expected progress. More RESPONSIBLE MATERIALS: reducing or replacing problematic materials (rare, with problematic extraction) with more abundant, more responsible materials; batteries less dependent on sensitive resources; a materials issue. More CAPACITY: storing more energy in the same volume/weight (increased autonomy); useful for phones, and crucial for electric cars (autonomy); density is improving; more energy, longer. SAFER: improving battery safety (less risk of overheating, fire); safety is a research axis; more reliable batteries; an important progress. EASIER TO RECYCLE: designing batteries easier to recycle, and developing recycling channels; recovering materials, reducing waste; recycling is improving; the end of life is improving (we’ll come back to it). New TECHNOLOGIES: research explores promising new battery technologies (new materials, new designs); without delving into technical details, innovation is advancing; the future is being prepared; promises. A SECOND LIFE: giving a second life to batteries (a used car battery can serve elsewhere, for energy storage); extending use before recycling; reducing waste; the second life is a path. REPAIRABILITY: making batteries more easily replaceable in devices (to not throw away the device when the battery dies); an issue linked to the right to repair; consult our guides on repair; repair rather than throw away. PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENTS: these improvements are arriving progressively (not a revolution overnight); batteries improve over the years; the future is made of continuous progress; patience and evolution. In summary, research toward more sustainable batteries is advancing on several fronts: LASTING longer (retaining capacity, resisting more recharges — fewer replacements), RECHARGING better (faster, less damaging), using more RESPONSIBLE MATERIALS (fewer rare or problematic resources), storing more CAPACITY (increased autonomy, crucial for electric cars), being SAFER, being EASIER TO RECYCLE (improving channels), benefiting from promising new TECHNOLOGIES, having a SECOND LIFE (extended use before recycling), and better REPAIRABILITY (replaceable batteries, to not throw away the device). These progressions are arriving progressively. The future of batteries is made of continuous improvements; longevity, responsible materials, and recycling are the key axes toward more sustainable batteries.

What you can do at your level: properly maintain your batteries to make them last, and properly recycle them. Facing battery challenges, one can feel powerless — the big improvements are up to research and industry. Yet, at your user level, you can act concretely, in two ways that matter: by making your batteries LAST longer, and by RECYCLING them correctly. The first lever: PROPERLY MAINTAIN your batteries to extend their lifespan. A battery that lasts longer means fewer replacements, fewer prematurely discarded devices, and thus less impact — an ecological and economic gesture. A few simple good practices help preserve your batteries (phone, laptop). Avoid CHARGE EXTREMES: constantly letting the battery drain completely to 0% or keeping it always at 100% can wear it out faster; many experts advise keeping it rather in an intermediate range when possible. Avoid OVERHEATING: heat is the enemy of batteries (don’t leave your device in direct sunlight, in a hot car, or heat it unnecessarily); heat accelerates wear. Use ADAPTED, quality CHARGERS (avoid dubious chargers that could damage); good equipment preserves. Activate CHARGE OPTIMIZATION functions that many modern devices offer (they learn your habits to preserve the battery): they are designed precisely to extend its lifespan. These simple daily gestures can significantly extend the life of your batteries — and thus your devices. The second lever: RECYCLE your used batteries and devices correctly. A worn-out battery is NOT ordinary waste: it contains materials that can be recovered (and that, if improperly discarded, pollute). Never throw a battery (or a device containing a battery) in the regular trash: deposit them in the designated COLLECTION points (battery recycling bins, waste disposal centers, stores that take them back). This gesture allows recovering materials (reducing the need to extract new ones) and avoiding pollution. Similarly, think about the SECOND LIFE of your devices: before throwing away, a device with a weakening battery can sometimes be repaired (battery replaced), given, or refurbished — extending its use is even better than recycling. A third gesture, when PURCHASING: when possible, favor devices with REPLACEABLE batteries (to not throw away the whole device when the battery dies) and manufacturers attentive to durability and repairability — this is also how, through your choices, you encourage more sustainable batteries. In summary, at your level, you can really act on batteries: MAKE THEM LAST (avoid charge extremes and overheating, use good chargers, activate charge optimization), RECYCLE them correctly (collection points, never regular trash), think about the second life of your devices (repair, donation, refurbishment), and favor at purchase durable devices with replaceable batteries. These simple gestures reduce the impact of batteries, extend your devices, and save you money: the transition to more sustainable batteries also passes through our daily uses.

Understanding the challenges to make informed choices

Understanding batteries well helps consume and maintain better; here are the useful references. The battery, heart of LIFESPAN: on many devices, it’s the battery that determines lifespan; by preserving it, you extend the device; battery maintenance is key for durability; take care of it. When PURCHASING, durability: consider battery durability and REPAIRABILITY (replaceable battery?) when purchasing; a device with a replaceable battery lasts longer; a responsible choice criterion; think long-term. The ELECTRIC CAR and its battery: for an electric car, the battery is crucial (autonomy, lifespan, replacement cost, warranty); inform yourself about these aspects; the battery conditions usage and value; a major purchase issue. AUTONOMY, a criterion: for a device or vehicle, autonomy (battery capacity) is a usage criterion; adapt to your real needs; neither over- nor under-sized; choose according to your usage. RECYCLING, a duty: recycling your batteries is a responsible gesture and often an obligation; the channels exist (collection points); don’t throw in the trash; participate in recycling; a civic duty. The SECOND HAND and refurbished: buying refurbished (with a verified or replaced battery) extends the life of devices and reduces the demand for manufacturing; a responsible choice; consult our guides on refurbished; consider it. Don’t WASTE devices: don’t throw away a device just because the battery weakens; consider replacing the battery (if possible), repairing, giving; extending use reduces waste; repair rather than throw away. The NUANCED electric transition: electric mobility has benefits (less emissions in use) but its balance depends on battery manufacturing and recycling; a transition to be conducted with battery progress; nuance without rejection or naivety. INFORM YOURSELF without expertise: no need to be an engineer to understand the challenges (lifespan, materials, recycling) and act; the essential is accessible; inform yourself at your level; awareness is enough to act well. Progress to FOLLOW: batteries are improving progressively; following these evolutions (without expertise) helps make future informed choices; stay attentive to progress; the future brings better batteries. In summary, understanding battery challenges allows making informed choices: know that the battery often determines a device’s lifespan (preserve it), consider durability and REPAIRABILITY (replaceable battery) when purchasing, inform yourself about an electric car’s battery (autonomy, lifespan, warranty), RECYCLE your batteries (collection points, never the trash), consider REFURBISHED and second-hand (responsible choice), don’t waste devices (repair, replace the battery, give rather than throw away), and approach the electric transition with nuance. No expertise is needed to understand these challenges and act. These references make you an informed and responsible consumer; preservation, repairability, and recycling are the keys to sustainable battery use.

Warning: never throw a battery in the regular trash (recycle it), and beware of dubious chargers and batteries (risk of overheating). Two concrete points of vigilance deserve your attention to handle batteries responsibly and safely. The first, ecological and often regulatory: never throw a battery (or a device containing a battery) in the REGULAR TRASH. This is a common mistake with real consequences. A battery is not ordinary waste: it contains materials that, on one hand, POLLUTE severely if they end up in nature or ordinary waste (toxic substances for the environment), and that, on the other hand, can be RECOVERED and reused through recycling (reducing the need to extract new resources). Throwing a battery in the trash is therefore both polluting and wasteful. Moreover, batteries improperly discarded present risks (a damaged battery can overheat, even catch fire, in the waste circuits). The good practice: always deposit your used batteries (batteries, device batteries) in the designated COLLECTION POINTS — you can find them in many stores (battery collection bins), at waste disposal centers, and at pickup points. Similarly, an electronic device at end of life (containing a battery) must be deposited in the electronic waste recycling circuits, never with household waste. This simple gesture is both an ecological duty, often an obligation, and a way to contribute to material economy. Before even recycling, think about the SECOND LIFE: a device with a weakening battery can often be repaired (battery replaced), given, or refurbished rather than thrown away. The second point of vigilance concerns your SAFETY: beware of low-quality or dubious chargers and batteries. When defective, damaged, counterfeit, or misused, batteries can present risks of OVERHEATING, even fire. A few precautions: use QUALITY CHARGERS and batteries, adapted to your device (those of the manufacturer or trusted certified accessories); beware of very cheap, counterfeit, or dubious replacement chargers and batteries, which can be dangerous (poor quality, lack of safety features). Don’t leave a device charging in risky conditions (on a flammable material, or without prolonged supervision if the device or charger overheats abnormally). Monitor warning signs of a faulty battery: a battery that SWELLS (deforms the device), overheats abnormally, or leaks is a danger signal — stop using it, don’t pierce it, don’t charge it anymore, and have it recycled with caution (inform yourself about the procedure for a damaged battery). Finally, avoid exposing your batteries to excessive heat (direct sunlight, hot car) and shocks, which can damage them. In summary, two vigilances: for the ENVIRONMENT (and often by obligation), never throw a battery or a battery-containing device in the regular trash — recycle them in the designated collection points (and think about the second life before throwing away); for your SAFETY, use quality chargers and batteries (beware of the dubious and counterfeit), avoid overheating, and monitor signs of a faulty battery (swelling, abnormal heat, leakage). These responsible and cautious gestures allow you to use your batteries while respecting the environment and your safety.

Frequent questions

How to make your phone battery last longer?

Avoid charge extremes and overheating, use good chargers, and activate your device’s charge optimization: these simple gestures preserve the battery and extend its lifespan. Let’s see. Avoid CHARGE EXTREMES: often letting the battery drain to 0% or keeping it constantly at 100% can wear it out faster; many advise keeping it rather in an intermediate range when possible; spare the extremes. Avoid OVERHEATING: heat is the #1 enemy of the battery; don’t leave your phone in direct sunlight, in a hot car, or heat it unnecessarily (prolonged intensive use); coolness preserves; avoid heat. Activate CHARGE OPTIMIZATION: many modern devices have a charge optimization option (which learns your habits to preserve the battery, avoid staying at 100%); activate it; it’s designed to extend battery life; use it. Good CHARGERS: use quality chargers, adapted to your device (from the manufacturer or certified reliable); avoid dubious/counterfeit chargers (which can damage or be dangerous); good equipment preserves. Don’t let it OVERHEAT while charging: avoid charging the phone under a blanket, while using it intensively, in a hot place; charging generates heat, don’t aggravate it; let it breathe; avoid heat while charging. MANAGE power-hungry usage: very power-hungry uses (intensive games, simultaneous charging and use) heat up and strain the battery; moderate if you want to preserve it; usage influences wear; adapt. Don’t COMPLETELY DISCHARGE too much: avoid leaving the battery completely empty for a long time (especially if the device remains unused); keep a minimum charge; prolonged deep discharge wears out; spare it. REDUCE what consumes: reducing consumption (brightness, background apps) makes the charge last longer during the day (and strains the battery less); a double benefit; save energy. Accept NORMAL wear: despite everything, a battery wears out over time (it’s normal); these gestures slow down wear, don’t cancel it; a battery has a lifespan; don’t aim for the impossible. Consider REPLACEMENT: when the battery is really worn out (doesn’t last the day), consider REPLACING it (by a professional) rather than changing the whole phone; extending the device is more economical and ecological; repair. The ADVICE: to make your phone battery last; avoid charge extremes and overheating, activate charge optimization, use good chargers, moderate power-hungry uses, and when it’s really worn out, replace it rather than change the phone. In summary, to make your phone battery last longer, a few simple gestures make a difference. First, avoid CHARGE EXTREMES: often letting the battery drain completely to 0% or keeping it constantly at 100% can wear it out faster; it’s better, when possible, to keep it in an intermediate range. Then, avoid OVERHEATING, which is the #1 enemy of batteries: don’t leave your phone in direct sunlight or in a hot car, don’t heat it with prolonged intensive use, and avoid charging it in conditions that make it heat up (under a blanket, while using it intensively). Activate CHARGE OPTIMIZATION that most modern devices offer: this function, designed precisely to preserve the battery (by learning your habits to avoid keeping it unnecessarily at 100%), extends its lifespan — use it. Use good CHARGERS adapted to your device (those of the manufacturer or certified reliable accessories), and beware of very cheap, counterfeit, or dubious chargers (which can damage the battery, even be dangerous). Moderate very power-hungry uses (which heat up and strain the battery), and reducing your consumption (brightness, background apps) also preserves the battery while extending autonomy during the day. Keep in mind, however, that a battery inevitably wears out over time (it’s normal): these gestures SLOW DOWN wear without eliminating it. And when the battery is really worn out (it doesn’t last the day), think about having it REPLACED (by a professional) rather than changing the whole phone: it’s more economical and ecological to extend the device. By applying these gestures daily, you preserve your battery and extend your phone’s lifespan.

Where and why recycle your used batteries?

Deposit them in the designated collection points (stores, waste disposal centers), never in the regular trash: recycling allows recovering materials and avoiding pollution, because a battery contains substances not to be thrown anywhere. Let’s see. WHY RECYCLE: a battery contains materials to RECOVER (reusable) and POLLUTING substances (toxic if thrown anywhere); recycling avoids pollution AND recovers materials; a double benefit; a responsible gesture. NEVER in the regular trash: never throw a battery (or a battery-containing device) in the regular trash; it would pollute, waste materials, and present risks (overheating in waste); it’s also often an obligation; don’t do it. WHERE to deposit: deposit your used batteries/batteries in the designated COLLECTION POINTS; collection bins in many stores, waste disposal centers, pickup points; they are numerous and accessible; use them. DEVICES with batteries: an electronic device at end of life (containing a battery) goes in the electronic waste recycling circuits (waste disposal center, store pickup), never with household waste; the whole device is recycled; deposit it in the right place. MATERIAL RECOVERY: recycling allows recovering battery materials (some rare/precious); this reduces the need to extract new ones; an ecological and resource benefit; recycling closes the loop. AVOID POLLUTION: a poorly discarded battery pollutes (toxic substances in nature); recycling avoids this discharge; protecting the environment is a major reason; recycle for the planet. Think about SECOND LIFE first: before recycling, a device with a weakening battery can be repaired, given, refurbished; extending use is even better than recycling; repair before throwing away; the second life takes precedence. A DAMAGED battery: for a swollen, damaged battery; handle with caution (don’t pierce), inform yourself about the specific procedure, deposit it in an adapted collection point; a damaged battery requires caution. A SIMPLE and useful gesture: recycling your batteries is simple (collection points everywhere) and useful (recovered materials, avoided pollution); a small gesture with strong impact; adopt it systematically; it counts. The ADVICE: recycle your used batteries in the designated collection points (stores, waste disposal centers), never in the regular trash; think about the second life (repair, give) first; it’s a responsible gesture that recovers materials and avoids pollution. In summary, you must recycle your used batteries by depositing them in the designated collection points — you can find them in many stores (battery collection bins), at waste disposal centers, and at pickup points — and NEVER throw them in the regular trash (similarly, an electronic device containing a battery goes in the electronic waste recycling circuits, not with household waste). Why? For two major reasons. First, a battery contains POLLUTING SUBSTANCES (toxic for the environment if they end up in nature or ordinary waste): recycling avoids this pollution. Then, it contains RECOVERABLE MATERIALS (some rare or precious): recycling allows recovering and reusing them, reducing the need to extract new ones — an ecological and resource benefit. Throwing a battery in the trash is therefore both polluting and wasteful (and it also presents risks, a damaged battery possibly overheating in the waste circuits). Before even recycling, think about the SECOND LIFE: a device with a weakening battery can often be repaired (battery replaced), given, or refurbished rather than thrown away — extending its use is even better than recycling. For a DAMAGED or swollen battery, handle it with caution (don’t pierce it), inform yourself about the procedure, and deposit it in an adapted collection point. Recycling your batteries is a gesture that is both simple (collection points are numerous and accessible), often mandatory, and really useful for the environment: adopt it systematically, it’s a small gesture with real impact.

Is the electric car really ecological, given its batteries?

Its balance is nuanced: it emits less in use (no exhaust), but battery manufacturing and recycling have an ecological cost; the overall balance depends on many factors and improves with battery progress. Let’s see without caricature. BENEFITS in use: an electric car emits no exhaust gases in use (no direct local pollution), and depending on the electricity used, can reduce mobility emissions; a real benefit in use; that’s its asset. The COST of the battery: but the MANUFACTURING of the battery has an ecological cost (resources, materials, energy); that’s where the balance is nuanced; the battery weighs on the footprint; a real issue. An OVERALL BALANCE to consider: the true ecological balance is judged over the ENTIRE LIFECYCLE (manufacturing, use, recycling), not just use; a global vision is needed; neither angelism nor trial; consider the whole. It DEPENDS on factors: the balance depends on the electricity used (more or less clean), the vehicle’s usage duration, battery manufacturing and recycling; many factors come into play; it’s complex; nuance. Battery RECYCLING: electric car battery recycling is progressing (recovering materials, avoiding waste); it conditions part of the balance; a developing sector; a future issue. The SECOND LIFE of batteries: a used car battery (for the car) can serve elsewhere (energy storage); this second life improves the balance; we extend use before recycling; a positive path. CONTINUOUS PROGRESS: the balance IMPROVES with battery progress (more durable, more responsible materials, better recycling) and cleaner electricity; the future tends toward a better balance; it’s evolving favorably. Neither ANGELISM nor rejection: don’t idealize it (“zero impact”: false, manufacturing counts) nor reject it outright (it has real benefits); discernment is required; nuance without caricature; balance. A COMPLEX DEBATE: the balance of the electric car is debated, with arguments on both sides; without taking sides as experts, retain that it’s NUANCED and depends on factors; inform yourself, keep your distance; beware of simplistic assertions (on both sides). The ADVICE: the ecological balance of the electric car is nuanced; it emits less in use but its battery has a manufacturing and recycling cost; the overall balance depends on many factors and improves with progress; neither angelism nor rejection, discernment. In summary, the ecological balance of the electric car is NUANCED, and deserves to be considered without caricature. On one hand, it has REAL BENEFITS: in use, it emits no exhaust gases (no direct local pollution), and depending on the electricity used to recharge it, it can reduce mobility emissions. On the other hand, the MANUFACTURING of its battery has a significant ecological cost (resources, sometimes problematic materials, energy), and its RECYCLING at end of life is an issue: that’s where the balance complicates. The true ecological balance must therefore be judged over the entire LIFECYCLE (manufacturing, use, recycling), and not just on use: it DEPENDS on many factors — the cleanliness of the electricity used, the vehicle’s usage duration, battery manufacturing and recycling. Good news: this balance IMPROVES with battery progress (more durable, more responsible materials, better recycling), the development of recycling channels, the second life of batteries (a used car battery can serve for energy storage), and increasingly clean electricity. The conclusion: don’t fall into ANGELISM (the electric car is not “zero impact”: its manufacturing counts) nor into REJECTION (it has real benefits, especially in use). This subject is debated, with arguments on both sides, and without taking sides as experts, the essential is to retain that the balance is nuanced and depends on factors — therefore to beware of simplistic assertions (on both sides). Discernment, information, and distance are the best approach: the electric car fits into a transition whose ecological benefit is built with battery progress and cleaner energy.

What to remember

Batteries are omnipresent in our daily lives (phones, laptops, electric cars and bikes, connected objects) and power our digital lives as well as the transition to cleaner transportation. But they pose IMPORTANT CHALLENGES: their LIMITED LIFESPAN (a battery wears out over time and with recharges, and it’s often the first to “give out” on a device, sometimes condemning a still-good device); their RESOURCE-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING (sometimes with problematic materials); and their COMPLEX RECYCLING (because a poorly discarded battery pollutes). Facing these challenges, research is advancing toward more SUSTAINABLE batteries: ones that last longer, recharge better, use more responsible materials, store more energy, are safer, easier to recycle, benefit from new technologies, have a second life, and better repairability — progressions arriving gradually. But beyond research, YOU can act at your level, in two ways that matter. First, MAKE YOUR BATTERIES LAST: avoid charge extremes (constant 0% and 100%) and especially OVERHEATING (the #1 enemy: no direct sunlight, hot car, charging that heats up), use good chargers (beware of the dubious and counterfeit), and activate your device’s CHARGE OPTIMIZATION (designed to preserve the battery). A battery that lasts means fewer replacements and fewer discarded devices — an ecological and economic gesture. Then, properly RECYCLE them: never throw a battery (or a battery-containing device) in the regular trash (it pollutes and wastes recoverable materials); deposit them in the designated COLLECTION POINTS (stores, waste disposal centers). Think about the SECOND LIFE (repair the battery, give, refurbish rather than throw away). Safety point: beware of dubious chargers and batteries (risk of overheating, fire), and monitor signs of a faulty battery (swelling, abnormal heat, leakage: stop using it and have it recycled with caution). To make informed choices: when purchasing, favor durability and REPAIRABILITY (replaceable battery, to not throw away the whole device), consider refurbished (responsible choice), and inform yourself about an electric car’s battery (autonomy, lifespan, warranty). Just about the electric car: its ecological balance is NUANCED (it emits less in use, but its battery has a manufacturing and recycling cost; the overall balance depends on many factors and improves with progress) — approach it with discernment, neither angelism nor rejection. In short, batteries are a major issue of our time (lifespan, manufacturing, recycling, electric mobility), and if the big improvements are up to research, we are all actors at our level: by making our batteries last (maintenance, against overheating), by recycling them correctly (collection points, never the trash), by extending our devices (second life, repair), and by choosing durable and repairable products. No expertise is needed to understand these challenges and act: these simple gestures reduce the impact of batteries, extend your devices, and save you money. The transition to more sustainable batteries also passes through our daily uses.