B-cycle battery recycling launches nationwide
B-cycle, Australia’s new national government-backed battery recycling scheme has officially been launched to combat one of the nation’s fastest growing waste streams. It aims to redirect 90% of used batteries that currently go to landfill, causing environmental impact and wasting precious resources.
Every year, Australians buy enough batteries to circle the planet 2.3 times and new research reveals that there’s currently over 150 million loose or removable used batteries being stored in homes across the country just waiting to be disposed of.
Most batteries have always been recyclable, but until now a nationally coordinated infrastructure hasn’t been in place to collect and recycle single use or rechargeable batteries such as alkaline or lithium batteries.
Australians will be able to easily identify their closest drop off point by entering their postcode into the B-cycle website. B-cycle is launching with 2,351 drop off points and the network is set to grow by an additional 1,200 drop off points quickly. This extensive network will include retail stores nationwide and community organisations.
Founded by the not-for-profit organisation, the Battery Stewardship Council (BSC), the B-cycle Scheme is supported by the Federal Government and all State and Territory Governments, authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and funded by the Federal Government and the battery industry.
More than recycling
Batteries play a critical role in powering our everyday lives. With new applications for batteries constantly evolving, leading brands such as Energizer, Duracell, Panasonic, Super Retail Group, Milwaukee, Stanley Black & Decker, and Makita, along with numerous other brands, are playing a pivotal role in funding the B-cycle Scheme. These forward-thinking organisations are allowing consumers the choice to buy better for the Earth.
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. 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 an accredited network of battery drop off points and be confident their batteries are being safely recycled.
Why recycle used batteries?
- Seemingly harmless household batteries have an environmental impact when they’re thrown in the bin because they contain elements that can leach into soils and waterways.
- Nearly all batteries are hazardous due to their toxic, flammable or corrosive nature. Correctly storing and disposing of them keeps homes and families safe from potential risks.
- Batteries contain valuable resources like zinc, lithium, cobalt, graphite and manganese.
- For each battery recycled, more than 95% can be remade into things we use every day like metal tools, computer parts, brand new batteries, and more
B-cycle is the go-to hub for battery safety information, promoting safe storage and drop off of used batteries, to keep everyone’s home healthy.