The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has led to a surge in end-of-life (EOL) lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), necessitating efficient recycling strategies to mitigate environmental risks and recover critical materials. This study compares the EV battery recycling frameworks in China and the United States, focusing on policy effectiveness, technological advancements, and material recovery efficiencies. China’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies and 14th Five-Year Plan mandate strict recycling targets, achieving a 40% battery recycling rate with 90% material recovery efficiency. Hydrometallurgical methods dominate, reducing energy consumption by 50% compared to virgin material extraction. The US, leveraging incentive-based mechanisms and private sector innovations, has a 35% recycling rate but a higher 95% resource recovery efficiency, mainly due to direct recycling and AI-based sorting technologies. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, including high recycling costs, inconsistent global regulations, and supply chain inefficiencies. To enhance sustainability, this study recommends harmonized international policies, investment in next-generation recycling technologies, and second-life battery applications. Emerging innovations, such as AI-driven sorting and direct cathode regeneration, could increase recovery efficiency by 20–30%, further reducing lifecycle costs. By integrating synergistic policies and advanced recycling infrastructures, China and the US can set a global precedent for sustainable EV battery management, driving the transition toward a circular economy. Future research should explore life cycle cost analysis and battery reuse strategies to optimize long-term sustainability.

This paper examines the end-of-life (EOL) waste management regulations and guidelines of five leading countries—China, USA, India, Japan, and Germany—to identify best practices and lessons that can enhance Saudi Arabia’s EOL waste management strategies. The study delves into China’s regulatory framework, highlighting its import bans on certain wastes, the USA’s manufacturer responsibility requirements for product disposal, India’s engagement of the informal sector in waste collection and recycling, Japan’s take-back system mandating manufacturer responsibility for product recovery and recycling, and Germany’s advanced system promoting the separate collection of EOL products and stringent hazardous waste regulations. By evaluating these diverse regulatory approaches and integrating insights from recent literature, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive perspective to assist Saudi Arabia in developing an effective EOL waste management system. Given the current state and deployment of solar PV systems in Saudi Arabia, the generation of PV solar panel waste is currently minimal. However, future projections indicate a significant increase, and it is worrisome that the KSA currently lacks the necessary systems and infrastructure to handle this waste effectively. To address this challenge sustainably, it is essential to introduce and implement an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, develop robust recycling infrastructure, enhance public awareness and education, and foster public–private partnerships. These measures will provide a strong foundation for managing end-of-life PV solar panel waste in Saudi Arabia. Such a system would ensure environmental protection, public health, and economic growth. Moreover, the research findings could serve as a valuable resource for other countries seeking to improve their EOL waste management practices. This study underscores the importance of learning from successful international waste management practices to enhance EOL waste management systems globally.

This research article investigates the recycling of end-of-life solar photovoltaic (PV) panels by analyzing various mechanical methods, including Crushing, High Voltage Pulse Crushing, Electrostatic Separation, Hot Knife Cutting, Water Jet Cutting, and Magnetic Separation. Each method’s effectiveness in extracting materials such as glass, silicon, metals (copper, aluminum, silver, tin, lead), and EVA was evaluated. The analysis reveals that no single method is entirely sufficient for comprehensive material recovery. Based on the data analysis, a new hypothetical hybrid method, Laser and High Voltage Pulse (L&HVP), is proposed, which integrates the precision of laser irradiation with the robustness of high voltage pulse crushing. The laser irradiation step would theoretically facilitate the removal of the ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant, preparing the materials for subsequent separation. The high high-voltage pulse crushing would then selectively fragment and separate the remaining components, potentially enhancing material recovery efficiency while minimizing contamination. The proposed approach is grounded in the observed limitations of existing techniques. This method aims to offer a more comprehensive and sustainable solution for solar PV module recycling. Further research and experimentation are necessary to validate the effectiveness of the L&HVP method and its potential impact on the field of solar PV recycling.