Abstract: Preparation of nickel cobalt manganese lithium has four industrialization processes，including directional recycling， traditional hydrometallurgy recycling，traditional pyrometallurgy recycling，and ore smelting.In order to find the smallest environmental impact of the production process，using the Eco-indicator 99 evaluation system of four kinds of technology for life cycle assessment.Results showed that production of 1 000 kg nickel cobalt manganese lithium，the environmental index scores of these four processes were -11 883，-1 552，57，and 25 896，respectively.Recycling of waste batteries has significantly social significance value.Traditional hydrometallurgy recycling process is less environmentally friendly impact than directional recycling process.Therefore，selection of production nickel cobalt manganese lithium technology from the perspective of environmental impact should give priority to using the directional recycling process.Meanwhile，ore smelting process does not advocate to be used for its biggest environmental damage.

Key words: directional recycling, waste battery, traditional pyrometallurgy recycling, ore smelting, LCA