B-cycle, Australia’s new government-backed battery recycling scheme is set to redirect 90 per cent of the nation’s used batteries away from landfill.
Launching today, the B-cycle scheme aims to help increase battery collection and recycling in Australia by providing an initial 2351 drop-off locations at various Woolworths, Bunnings, ALDIs, Officeworks, and Total Tools.
Libby Chaplin, CEO of B-cycle, said our day to day lives are fast moving to a battery powered world but 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. Now with B-cycle, consumers will be able to access our accredited network of battery drop off points and be confident their batteries are being safely recycled.”
Trevor Evans, Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, said the Australian Government has invested $1 million for the Battery Stewardship Council to establish and launch B -cycle.
“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.”
Currently 63 per cent of Australians throw batteries in their household garbage but 95 per cent said they would take their used batteries to a B-cycle if they were aware of a drop-off point.
Daniel Baker, Director Corporate Responsibility at ALDI Australia, said as a major Australian retailer it recognises its responsibility to reducing its environmental impact.
“The chemicals in batteries are toxic and those that are sent to landfill can cause damage to the environment, potentially harming wildlife and affecting surrounding soil or waterways. Further, recycling the useful materials within batteries into new products reduces the need for virgin materials.”
The scheme is run by the Battery Stewardship Council, supported by the Commonwealth and all State and Territory Governments, and authorised by the ACCC.
Businesses are able to become am accredited B-cycle drop off point if they can provide a safe drop off location and guarantee that batteries are collected by an accredited B-cycle Battery Collector.
To apply to become an accredited B-cycle drop off point, businesses can register through the B-cycle website.