University of Guilan Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences 1735-3033 24 3 2026 07 01 Environmentally benign recycling of wastes into anode materials for sustainable energy storage 975 981 9804 10.22124/cjes.2026.9804 EN Alibek Mutushev Scientific Center for New Technologies; Almaty, Abaya str.191, 050046/A05A1K0, Kazakhstan Assiya Nuraly Scientific Center for New Technologies; Almaty, Abaya str.191, 050046/A05A1K0, Kazakhstan Aknur Seisenova Scientific Center for New Technologies; Almaty, Abaya str.191, 050046/A05A1K0, Kazakhstan Sandugash Oryngaliyeva Scientific Center for New Technologies; Almaty, Abaya str.191, 050046/A05A1K0, Kazakhstan Zura Yessimsiitova Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 al-Farabi Avenue, Almaty, Kazakhstan Journal Article 2026 08 02 The increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries necessitates the development of environmentally friendly and cost-effective anode materials. This study presents a laboratory-scale technology for recycling cast iron shavings from brake discs — abundant metallurgical waste generated during turning operations — into a high-performance anode material for 18650 cylindrical lithium-ion cells. The waste was processed through mechanical grinding, acid leaching, thermal activation, and electrode fabrication. Electrochemical testing of half-cells demonstrated a reversible specific capacity of 420–510 mAh g⁻¹ at a rate of 0.1C, along with excellent cycling stability (capacity retention of 85–92% after 100 cycles). Full 18650 cells assembled with the developed anode exhibited stable operating performance. The proposed approach offers an ecologically sound and economically viable method for converting industrial waste into valuable battery components, thereby supporting the principles of the circular economy in energy storage technologies. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9804_9ab230beae8a13e16785f4f368023065.pdf