E-bikes are becoming e-waste – here’s how to reduce the environmental cost

By Yvonne Ryan, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, University of Limerick

Electric e-bikes make cycling easier, faster and more accessible. They are already playing an important role in reducing the environmental impact of transport, particularly when they replace a trip in a private car.

But when you scrap an e-bike, you also have to scrap its battery. And these batteries can be particularly dangerous and tricky to dispose of. This means the growth of e-bikes is leading to at least one related environmental problem: a rise in electronic or e-waste.

The sector needs stronger regulations to encourage it to cut its waste. This includes encouraging…

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