Four industry bodies are calling on Australia’s Environment and Energy ministers to act urgently to deliver a national mandatory battery producer responsibility scheme.
The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR), Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR), Smart Energy Council and Association for the Battery Recycling Industry, said the scheme should cover all battery chemistries with low recovery rates and battery-powered products.
In a statement WMRR, the peak body for the waste and resource recovery industry, said, “It is time for the other states to prioritise aligned adoption, as agreed in December 2024.”
With the Product Lifecycle Responsibility Bill passing in New South Wales in March 2025, WMRR hopes the other states will follow in these footsteps.
In recent years Australia has faced a growing safety and environmental crisis caused by the improper disposal of batteries and battery-powered products.
More than 10,000 fires are reported each year across the waste and resource recovery industry, posing risks to workers, damaging equipment, disrupting essential services, and tarnishing social license.
“There is a critical lack of dedicated infrastructure to collect, process and remanufacture these products,” said a WMRR spokesperson.
“This growing safety risk means we have no time left for inaction.”
Three out of every 20 handheld batteries are estimated to be recovered in Australia every year with the remaining 17 contributing to fires in waste and resource recovery trucks and across these networks.
The industry body said the challenge is solvable as demonstrated in other economies such as China, Europe and India, where battery recovery is linked to national security goals through the recovery of critical minerals.
This is supported by a focus on recycling batteries domestically and not permitting exports. Valuable materials can be recovered simultaneously while reducing pressure on the environment.
Australian research, building on mining metallurgical experience, is leading the way in sustainable metals recovery from batteries.
A WMRR spokesperson said battery recycling is a “critical element” to enabling the clean energy transition and supporting the convenience of modern consumer technology.
“Now is the time for governments to act decisively and work together to apply international best practice for the benefit of Australia.”
For more information, visit: www.wmrr.asn.au/
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