Every day, millions of batteries power our lives – keeping devices running, tools working, and gadgets entertaining. But what happens when they run out of charge?
Too often, they end up in landfill or forgotten in drawers, becoming an unseen yet growing environmental threat. The good news? Recycling them is one of the simplest and most impactful ways to protect the planet.
That’s where Ecobatt comes in. As one of Australia’s leading battery recycling companies, Ecobatt is tackling this issue head-on, operating the nation’s largest battery collection network.
But its mission extends beyond recycling – it’s about education and innovation, inspiring the next generation to be loud and proud recyclers.
Environmental impact
Batteries are everywhere – from power tools and toothbrushes to wireless earbuds – yet they’re often forgotten once they reach the end of their life.
Doug Rowe, Ecobatt’s Managing Director, says there are still too many people unaware of the risks associated with improper disposal or the environmental harm caused by failing to recycle batteries.
When discarded in landfill, batteries can leach toxic chemicals into the soil and waterways, polluting ecosystems and endangering public health.
Lithium-ion batteries, in particular, present a serious fire hazard, with an increasing number of landfill and rubbish truck fires linked to batteries that were incorrectly disposed.
“Raising awareness is key to addressing this growing challenge,” Doug says. “By recognising the hidden batteries in everyday devices and ensuring they’re recycled correctly, we can protect our planet, reduce fire risks, and recover valuable materials that would otherwise go to waste.”
Accessible recycling
With more than 6500 collection points nationwide, Ecobatt aims to make battery recycling easier and more convenient than ever.
Its dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure Australians not only have the infrastructure but also the knowledge to dispose of their batteries responsibly. Doug says that by doing so, Ecobatt is helping to shift public perception – after all recycling shouldn’t feel like a burden, but a shared responsibility that benefits all. However, convenience alone isn’t enough. He says awareness and behavioural change are crucial to closing the gap between battery usage and responsible disposal.
Despite Australia generating millions of used batteries each year, only 15.3 per cent are recycled, according to the latest B-cycle Positive Charge Report 2023-24 – a figure that lags behind world leaders such as the European Union (EU).
By comparison, in 2022, 46 per cent of portable batteries and accumulators sold in the EU were collected for recycling, marking a significant advancement. Since 2009, the volume of collected batteries has doubled, reflecting sustained progress in recycling efforts. Doug says this success is proof that Australia can – and must – do better.
Encouragingly, data from the B-cycle scheme shows that 2,934,533 kilograms of batteries were collected for recycling in 2023-24, highlighting the progress being made. But there’s still a long way to go. That’s why Ecobatt continues to advocate for stronger regulations and greater public participation, driving Australia towards a future where battery recycling isn’t an afterthought – it’s the norm.
Shifting the mindset
Think about the batteries used every day. When the TV remote stops working or a child’s favourite toy runs out of power, we instinctively head to the shop for replacements. We put in the effort to purchase and use them, so why does recycling them often feel like an afterthought?
It shouldn’t, Doug says. Recycling batteries should be as natural as replacing them.
“The environment – the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil that sustains our food – depends on responsible disposal. Batteries contain valuable materials that can be recovered and reused, yet when discarded incorrectly, they pose serious environmental risks,” he says.
While companies such as Ecobatt work to remove barriers and make battery recycling easier and more accessible, true change requires a collective effort.
Doug says governments, industry leaders, and national recycling schemes must step up to strengthen regulations, improve infrastructure, and drive public awareness.
“Only by working together can we make battery recycling the norm – transforming sustainability from a burden into a simple, everyday habit – one that benefits both people and the planet.”
Batteries in devices
With battery consumption rising in the digital age, safely collecting and recycling these hazardous materials is more vital than ever.
Ecobatt’s comprehensive recycling process ensures that batteries are recycled responsibly, allowing valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel to be recovered and reintroduced into the manufacturing cycle.
This form of urban mining not only reduces reliance on newly mined resources, but also minimises the carbon footprint associated with battery production.
To tackle the growing challenge of recycling batteries in devices, Ecobatt has invested in an industry-leading plant specifically designed to process Batteries in Devices, known as BIDs waste. BIDs waste consists of items such as hearing aids, electric shavers and toothbrushes, wireless headphones, smartwatches and more. This investment ensures that BIDs waste is managed safely and efficiently, preventing hazardous materials from polluting the environment while supporting the transition to a circular economy.
“By keeping battery processing within Australia, Ecobatt is not only improving environmental outcomes but also driving economic benefits,” Doug says.
“This includes bolstering Australia’s recycling infrastructure, recovering valuable materials locally, creating jobs, and strengthening supply chain resilience – reducing reliance on overseas processing.”
The future
The challenge of battery waste is only growing, and Ecobatt is committed to staying ahead of it. As technology advances and battery usage increases, so does the urgency to develop smarter, more efficient recycling solutions.
Ecobatt is expanding its collection network, investing in cutting-edge recycling processes, and working closely with industry leaders to drive real and meaningful change.
But infrastructure alone isn’t enough. Doug says shifting mindsets is just as critical. Ecobatt is working to empower individuals, businesses, and communities to make battery recycling second nature – a seamless, accessible habit that’s ingrained in everyday life. From introducing specialised recycling bins in more locations to advocating for stronger regulations.
“At Ecobatt, we’re turning discarded and end of life batteries into something valuable again – because the future depends on how we recycle today,” Doug says.
Partnership for change
Doug has long been driven by a passion for environmental stewardship – a commitment that led to a meeting with Cate McQuillen, the visionary changemaker behind mememe productions.
Their shared dedication to protecting the planet for future generations ignited a partnership built not on corporate box-ticking, but on genuine action and a desire to drive real change.
Through this collaboration, Ecobatt has joined forces with mememe productions, a creative powerhouse renowned for its engaging, educational content. Together, they are working to reshape how young Australians think about recycling – transforming it from an obligation into an empowered choice. Their mission? To inspire the next generation to proudly declare, “I’m a recycler.”
The next generation
Through nature-led and fact-filled content, Ecobatt and mememe productions strive to inspire children and their families to act, understanding the simple yet powerful impact of recycling.
The partnership aims to instil in young minds a sense of ownership over their role in protecting the environment, turning passive consumers into active participants in the sustainability movement.
“Rethinking education and reimagining impact means moving beyond one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s about making it matter, starting with caring for nature, connecting that with caring for ourselves,” Cate says.
“It’s about taking a hyperlocal approach – creating change that sticks because it becomes part of identity, culture, and community-driven action. If we’re serious about a climate-safe future and a thriving circular economy, we must go deeper. Fridge magnets and stickers don’t cut it anymore.
“The story needs to be richer, more relevant, and embedded where real life happens. That’s why we’re excited to partner with the visionary team at Ecobatt – because they get it. With the growing urgency of battery-fuelled fires, pollution, and toxic waste, this work isn’t just important, it’s essential.”
Ecobatt and the team at mememe productions recognise that shaping the recycling habits of future generations is key. Children have a crucial role in driving environmental change. Instilling the importance of recycling from a young age ensures that sustainability becomes second nature rather than an afterthought.
By creating a captivating and unique educational program, which they hope to bring to school children right across Australia,
Ecobatt and mememe productions are working towards making the process of learning about battery recycling and the recycling of all the various waste streams, fun, accessible, and engaging. Through the proposed school program, children will be equipped with the knowledge they need to become recycling advocates in their own homes and schools.
Power of responsibility
Doug says the future of battery recycling in Australia depends on education, accessibility, and collective action. Ecobatt is working to make recycling easier, safer, and more efficient, but real change requires everyone – governments, industry, and individuals – to step up.
“By recognising the impact of improper disposal, supporting innovative recycling solutions, and instilling lifelong habits in the next generation, we can turn waste into opportunity and protect our planet for years to come,” he says.
“Ecobatt and Cate share a collective vision for every Australian to embrace this responsibility, taking pride in recycling and making it a seamless part of everyday life.”
The hope?
“To hear people across the country stand together and proudly declare, ‘I’m a recycler’.”
For more information, visit: www.ecobatt.com.au
