The Victorian EPA has extended its consultation period for a battery recycling plant works approval, due to a high level of local interest.
The consultation period has been extended to 52 days, with two extra information sessions held in January.
The development proposal, received from Chunxing Corporation, seeks to recycle the material into 28,000 tonnes of refined lead each year.
The proposal estimates 98 per cent of the lead, plastic and electrolyte (sulfuric acid) in batteries will be recycled.
According to the Chunxing Corporation application, Australia generates roughly 150,000 tonnes of used lead acid batteries a year, most of which is sent to four existing facilities.
The application highlights that of the four facilities, only one conducts secondary lead smelting to produce lead product.
“We believe such incomplete ‘recycling’ is unsustainable, and vulnerable to overseas demand and policy changes, similar to the export of kerbside recycling, which collapsed after China introduced its China National Sword Policy,” the application reads.
“We also see this low penetration of ‘full recycling’ in the market as an opportunity.”
Related stories:
- VIC EPA to assess battery recycling plant proposal
- ACOR calls for battery product stewardship
- Lithium Australia develops battery recovery process
