[hbossy]

Used batteries themselves are not that much of a problem, because most of their value is in raw minerals used to make them. Recycling them is basically the same as processing raw metal ore, except the concentration of valuable stuff is much higher than in any natural deposit.

[reginald78]

I think the goal here is to allow you to easily fix a device that only has a worn out battery, keeping it out of a landfill. The batteries could still be recycled and the process might be even easier if they were all user replaceable.