The new energy vehicle market has grown rapidly due to the promotion of electric vehicles. Considering the average effective lives and calendar lives of power batteries, the world is gradually ushering in the retirement peak of spent lithium‐ion batteries (SLIBs). Without proper disposal, such a large number of SLIBs can be grievous waste of resources and serious pollution for the environment. This review provides a systematic overview of current solutions for SLIBs recycling, ranging from battery failure assessment, disassembly, and component separation to derived material recovery and reuse. In this review, several pretreatment methods for SLIBs are introduced. Subsequently, novel recovery and reuse processes are discussed to develop sustainable and efficient recycling processes. Finally, different scientific approaches are investigated, aiming at promoting the transformation of the SLIBs recycling industry to a circular economy. Based on this review, it is possible to improve existing processes or develop sustainable environmentally friendly and efficient alternative processes for recycling end‐of‐life batteries.

Back cover image: The dramatic increase of spent lithium‐ion batteries (SLIBs) has led to resource waste and environmental pollution. In article number https://doi.org/10.1002/cnl2.31, the current challenges and future directions in the field of SLIBs recycling are clarified by systematically explaining current advanced recycling processes and industrial application examples, as well as the introduction of emerging concepts such as intelligent and sustainable recycling, providing ideas for achieving energy efficiency and environmental protection while also achieving significant economic benefits.