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Researchers warn that the looming crisis of IoT battery waste is set to see up to 78 million batteries discarded daily by 2025.
Pittsburgh, PA – July 1, 2025 – The world is facing an unprecedented battery waste crisis driven by the explosive growth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. EU-funded research allows the project to warn that by the second half of 2025, nearly 78 million IoT batteries could be disposed of worldwide daily. 1 According to the EPA, the US IoT battery market is projected to reach $15.9 billion this year, with batteries making up the majority of 10 million tonnes of e-Waste annually. 2 Key To eliminate the need for batteries in IoT applications, PowerCast is developing next-generation wireless power chips with key partners.
“The world’s appetite for connected devices is exploding, and so is the heap of batteries we throw away,” says Charlie Goetz, CEO of PowerCast. “If you really want a sustainable internet, you have to rethink how to move it from scratch.”
The growing e-waste crisis
The proliferation of IoT devices has led to environmental concerns. The United Nations reports that global e-waste is increasing annually 2.6 million tonnes, with an increasing forecast showing that annual e-waste will reach 82 million tonnes by 2030. In the US, only about 15% of E-waste is recycled, with millions of batteries being landfilled each year. 3
The Enable Study highlights a significant discrepancy. Many IoT devices are designed to last for 10 years, but the battery usually lasts less than 2 years, which requires multiple replacements, exacerbating the waste problem. (4) US researchers from the NREL and the Department of Energy have flagged battery waste as a major barrier to domestic supply chain resilience and environmental sustainability. 5
Reduce battery waste with wireless power
PowerCast addresses these challenges with a wireless power solution that eliminates the need for disposable batteries. The company’s technology leverages RF energy to enhance IoT devices, reducing both environmental impact and operational costs. Designed for seamless integration into existing manufacturing processes, Powercast allows businesses to migrate to sustainable solutions with minimal disruption.
Support for rising industries and governments
Market Growth: The $226 million North American energy harvesting market in 2024 is projected to more than double by 2034, driven by IoT and Smart Infrastructure. 6Government Investment: US agencies such as the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture have invested heavily in renewable energy and energy howsbate technology. Sustainability Goals: These initiatives support national and international commitments to reduce e-waste and accelerate the adoption of greener technologies.
Beyond Devices: Powering the IoT Infrastructure
Rather than focusing solely on smart gadgets, Powercast encourages the industry to reconfigure IoT as the underlying infrastructure, allowing seamless connectivity and automation. At the heart of this infrastructure are IoT sensors that collect, transmit and act on data, from warehouse inventory tracking to crop monitoring. PowerCast’s wireless solutions provide energy to these devices over long distances with minimal maintenance, zero battery waste.
Powercast’s Next Generation Wireless Power Tech
With partnerships with key developers, PowerCast is moving Power Harvester chips into a new generation. These proprietary chips are tested to support critical applications such as environmental monitoring, asset tracking, and smart agriculture without the need for batteries, and are being tested to power off beacons over a range of up to 200 feet.
Addressing costs and adoption challenges
The transition to energy harvesting technology presents both financial and logistical challenges. Although pre-mounting costs can block manufacturers, these technologies have been shown to significantly reduce maintenance and replacement costs over time. The U.S. Department of Energy highlights that integrating energy harvests into smart buildings and infrastructure will result in long-term, maintenance-free sensors, providing operational and environmental benefits.
Building a sustainable IoT future
As IoT adoption accelerates, so does the urgency of sustainable power solutions. PowerCast invites manufacturers, integrators and innovators to partner with building a battery-free IoT ecosystem. By embracing an energy harvest, businesses can reduce their environmental footprint and lead their industry to a cleaner future.
“Looking at the future, battery-free wireless power is not just an innovation, it’s a responsibility,” added Goetz. “We have the technology to power the IoT without polluting the planets. Now it’s time for the industry to take action.”
About Powercast Corporation
Founded in 2003 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Powercast Corporation is the go-to resource for short-to-long-range, micro-watt-to-kilowatt wireless charging solutions, backed by over 300 patents worldwide. We design, develop and manufacture semiconductor chips, fully design wirelessly driven products, enabling different levels of customer integration.
PowerCast solutions include RF power overdistance charging, a high-performance inductive charging system, and low-power sensors with up to 25 years of battery life. With its flexible magnetic resonance system, PowerCast is positioned as the industry’s most comprehensive source of wireless power technology.
References:
“Codis|European Commission.” April 19th. 2024 Cordis.europa.eu/article/ID/430457-Up-ty-78million-batteries-will-discarded-daily by-by-researchers-warn. “IoT battery market size will reach US$22.7 billion by 2030.” Priority Survey October 19, 2024, 3AD, preterenceresearch.com/iot-battery-market. “Electrowaste is rising five times faster than documented e-waste recycling. e-waste Monitor, March 20, 2024, ewastemonitor.info/electronic-waste-waste-five-tive-faster-than-documeted-e-waste-recycling-un/ Ubilite 31 Jam 2024, ubilite.com/media/blog/mitigating-battery-waste-in-iot-with-ultra-low-power-wi-fi-chips. “Battery Recycle Supply Chain Analysis | Transportation and Mobility Research | NREL.” nrel.gov, 2025, nrel.gov/transportation/battery-recycling-supply-chain-analysis. “Energy Harvesting System Market Size to reach USD 1,980.75 million by 2034.” PertionEnceresearch.com, Precense Research, 2025, preterenceresearch.com/energy-harvesting-system-market
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