Community
20 February, 2022
National battery recycling scheme B-cycle launched
AUSTRALIA’S new national government-backed battery recycling Scheme, B-cycle, launched across the country on Tuesday to combat one of the nation’s fastest-growing waste streams.
The scheme aims to redirect 90% of used batteries that currently go to landfill, causing environmental impact and wasting precious resources.
Most batteries have always been recyclable, but there were very few places to take them until now. B-cycle is launching with 2,351 drop off points, and the network will grow by an additional 1,200 convenient drop off points in the coming weeks.
This extensive network will include retail stores nationwide such as ALDI, Bunnings, Officeworks, Woolworths, community organisations such as the Lions Club, and many more. Cairns residents can find the closest drop off points by entering their postcode into the B-cycle website.
The not-for-profit organisation Battery Stewardship Council (BSC), the Federal government and the battery industry fund the initiative, and the Commonwealth and all State and Territory Governments support it.
The Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, Trevor Evans, said it is time for Australia to move into a circular economy through a recycling scheme like B-cycle.
“The Australian Government has invested $1 million for the Battery Stewardship Council to establish and launch B-cycle: our new national recycling scheme for batteries,” Mr Evans said.
“All Australians can help Australia move to a circular economy in which we routinely recycle and reuse our waste resources by taking their used batteries including household batteries, power tool batteries, camera batteries, and e-bike batteries to participating drop off points.”
CEO of B-cycle Libby Chaplin said that having a recycling scheme ensures that batteries are correctly disposed of.
“Our day to day lives are fast moving to a battery- powered world – yet the materials we rely on for those batteries are in limited supply,” she said.
“The new B-cycle Scheme brings people, businesses and communities together to make sure that no used battery goes to waste, protecting people, our planet, and future battery materials.
“Consumers will be able to access our accredited network of battery drop off points and be confident their batteries are being safely recycled.
“We’re looking forward to Australians getting familiar with their local B-cycle bins and taking advantage of this new Scheme.”
B-cycle ambassador, environmentalist and presenter Laura Wells said this is a feel-good initiative.
“B-cycle is the easiest addition to my recycling regime, creating a way for me to recycle batteries, stopping them from ending up in landfill, and harming our environment,” she said.
“For each battery recycled, more than 95% of its materials can be remade into things we use every day – like paint, car tyres, metal tools, computer parts, brand new batteries, and more.
“Knowing I am now contributing to a circular economy while reducing my footprint is a fantastic start to 2022.”
