Victoria boosts battery recycling with $3.5M investment

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos has unveiled two projects that have been allocated a total of $3.5 million to establish lithium-ion processing and recycling facilities.

Together, these initiatives will augment Victoria’s ability to process lithium-ion batteries by 19,500 tonnes annually.

This move aims to simplify the disposal process for Victorians, ensuring that their old batteries are safely and conveniently handled, with their components utilised effectively.

In particular, Ecobatt is set to receive $2.5 million to establish a lithium battery processing and recycling plant in Campbellfield.

Meanwhile, Enviropacific Services will be granted $1 million to establish a new facility in Stawell.

Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in personal electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, electric toothbrushes, and tools, contain valuable materials like aluminium, copper, and steel, as well as precious elements like cobalt, nickel, manganese, and graphene.

Given that only a fraction of lithium-ion battery waste is presently processed in Australia, the government said the two new projects in Stawell and Campbellfield hold significant importance.

They are poised to substantially increase Victoria’s capacity to repurpose valuable battery materials, thereby contributing to a more sustainable approach to waste management.

Moreover, diverting these batteries from landfill sites will mitigate the risk of potential fires and contamination.

Minister Dimopoulos stated that the batteries commonly found in everyday items used by Victorians are being addressed through these projects.

“These batteries are found in everyday items Victorians use and these projects are adding much-needed capacity to our recycling system, enabling valuable resources to be saved from landfills,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Member for Broadmeadows Kathleen Matthews-Ward expressed appreciation for the proactive involvement of local businesses in spearheading advancements within the recycling sector.

“It’s great to see local businesses taking the lead in the recycling sector and finding new ways to process difficult materials that all Victorians use, while supporting more local jobs,” she noted.

Victorians can drop off their lithium-ion batteries at over 1200 designated sites across the state, including supermarkets, hardware stores, and council waste transfer stations.

Funded as part of the Circular Economy Infrastructure Fund Hazardous Waste third round, these projects are anticipated to create 36 long-term employment opportunities.

This initiative forms part of the Labor Government’s broader $515 million investment to revolutionise Victoria’s waste and recycling sector, aiming to divert 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030.