The Victorian Government is enhancing the state’s ability to recycle lithium-ion batteries, making it easier for residents to dispose of these items safely and sustainably.
Victorian Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos announced that two projects will receive a total of $3.5 million to establish lithium-ion battery processing and recycling facilities in Victoria.
Ecobatt will receive $2.5 million to set up a lithium battery processing and recycling plant in Campbellfield, while Enviropacific Services will receive $1 million to establish a new plant in Stawell.
Together, these facilities will increase Victoria’s capacity to process lithium-ion batteries by 19,500 tonnes per year.
Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in personal electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, electric toothbrushes, and tools. They contain valuable materials like aluminum, copper, steel, and precious metals like cobalt, nickel, manganese, and graphite.
With only a small quantity of lithium-ion battery waste currently being processed in Australia, the two new projects will play a crucial role in increasing Victoria’s capacity to reuse valuable battery materials.
According to the Victorian Government, keeping these batteries out of landfills will also help reduce potential risks of fires and contamination. Victorians can drop off their unwanted lithium-ion batteries at more than 1200 collection sites across the state, including supermarkets, hardware stores, and council waste transfer stations.
“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 landfill,” Dimopoulos said.
The projects are funded as part of the Circular Economy Infrastructure Fund Hazardous Waste third round, which is creating 36 long-term jobs and supporting Victoria’s transition to a thriving and sustainable circular economy.
Increasing the state’s capacity to recycle difficult products like batteries is part of the Labor Government’s $515 million investment to transform Victoria’s waste and recycling sector and divert 80 percent of waste from landfills by 2030.
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