This strategic review examines the pivotal role of sustainable methodologies in battery recycling and the recovery of critical minerals from waste batteries, emphasizing the need to address existing technical and environmental challenges. Through a systematic analysis, it explores the application of green organic solvents in mineral processing, advocating for establishing eco-friendly techniques aimed at clipping waste and boosting resource utilization. The escalating demand for and shortage of essential minerals including copper, cobalt, lithium, and nickel are comprehensively analyzed and forecasted for 2023, 2030, and 2040. Traditional extraction techniques, including hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, and bio-metallurgical processes, are efficient but pose substantial environmental hazards and contribute to resource scarcity. The concept of green extraction arises as a crucial step towards ecological conservation, integrating sustainable practices to lessen the environmental footprint of mineral extraction. The advancement of green organic solvents, notably ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents, is examined, highlighting their attributes of minimal toxicity, biodegradability, and superior efficacy, thus presenting great potential in transforming the sector. The emergence of organic solvents such as palm oil, 1-octanol, and Span 80 is recognized, with advantageous low solubility and adaptability to varying temperatures. Kinetic (mainly temperature) data of different deep eutectic solvents are extracted from previous studies and computed with machine learning techniques. The coefficient of determination and mean squared error reveal the accuracy of experimental and computed data. In essence, this study seeks to inspire ongoing efforts to navigate impediments, embrace technological advancements including artificial intelligence, and foster an ethos of environmental stewardship in the sustainable extraction and recycling of critical metals from waste batteries.

The surging demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has intensified the need for sustainable recovery of critical metals such as lithium, manganese, cobalt, and nickel from spent cathodes. While conventional hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical methods are widely used, they involve high energy consumption, hazardous waste generation, and complex processing steps, underscoring the urgency of developing eco-friendly alternatives. This study presents a novel, water-enhanced deep eutectic solvent (DES) system composed of choline chloride and D-glucose for the efficient leaching of valuable metals from spent LiMn-based battery cathodes. The DES was synthesized under mild conditions and applied to dissolve cathode powder, with leaching performance optimized by varying temperature and duration. Under optimal conditions (100 °C, 24 h), exceptional recovery efficiencies were achieved: 98.9% for lithium, 98.4% for manganese, and 71.7% for nickel. Material characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) confirm effective phase dissolution and metal release. Although this DES system requires relatively higher temperature and longer reaction time compared to traditional acid leaching, it offers clear advantages in terms of non-toxicity, biodegradability, and elimination of strong oxidizing agents. These results demonstrate the potential of water-enhanced choline chloride–glucose DES as a green alternative for future development in sustainable battery recycling, supporting circular economy objectives.