Without detailed knowledge, I've been a bit puzzled by this. As far as I understand, the inputs to manufacturing of the cells (as opposed to their packaging) a

Without detailed knowledge, I've been a bit puzzled by this. As far as I understand, the inputs to manufacturing of the cells (as opposed to their packaging) are all elements and oxides of elements and/or similar. Not complex molecules that can be difficult to construct. Given enough energy, and time to find optimal processes, I don't understand why these cells aren't essentially fully recyclable. In the meantime, if we can't do so or do so profitably, yet, segregate them from the waste stream for the day when we can and/or economics makes this profitable. I guess this is more "planning" and consistency than most societies today are capable of. But, our existing processes don't "destroy" the lithium, nor the cobalt. It's there, already mined, refined, and now used once. Waiting for recovery. Perhaps we need some standards and regulations regarding packaging, both of cells and cells within their devices, to help facilitate recovery. And that could get involved, trying not to end up limiting technical and design advances. But you could say, whatever one ends up building, the battery components have to be recoverable to X extent -- that must be a factor in your design, whatever your form-factor. And up to this point, a lot of consumer designs are packaging multiples of more or less standard cell designs. So...