The New South Wales (NSW) government has taken a significant step toward mandatory battery product stewardship by introducing the Product Lifecycle Responsibility Bill to Parliament.
This new legislation, spearheaded by Environment Minister Penny Sharpe, aims to tackle the growing fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries while promoting sustainable recycling practices.
Lithium-ion batteries have been identified as the fastest-growing fire risk in NSW, with Fire and Rescue NSW responding to over 300 incidents in the past year alone.
Improper disposal of these batteries has led to fires in waste facilities, trucks, and homes, causing injuries, fatalities, and property damage.
The waste and recycling industry estimates that up to 12,000 fires annually across Australia are linked to battery mishandling.
NSW Minister Sharpe emphasised the urgency of the issue, stating: “Batteries power our modern lives, but when they’re thrown in the garbage bin or not disposed of correctly, they become ticking time bombs.
“We’ve seen the devastating consequences of battery fires, and we’re determined to act now to protect lives and property.”
The Product Lifecycle Responsibility Bill sets a framework for mandatory product stewardship, requiring battery producers and importers to take responsibility for their products throughout their life cycle.
Key measures include:
- Mandatory Registration: Suppliers must register battery products and ensure compliance with safe disposal and recycling practices.
- Public Education Campaigns: Raising awareness about proper battery disposal methods.
- Enhanced Design Standards: Improving battery safety and recyclability through better design and packaging.
- Strict Penalties: Non-compliance could result in fines of up to $880,000 for corporations and $220,000 for individuals.
The legislation also covers embedded batteries found in everyday devices such as e-bikes, cordless vacuums, and children’s toys.
The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC), which oversees Australia’s national battery recycling scheme B-cycle, has praised the bill as a “pivotal moment” for battery recycling in Australia.
Libby Chaplin, CEO of B-cycle, highlighted the importance of enforceable regulations to eliminate free riders and ensure safe disposal practices.
“This bill sets a new national benchmark,” Chaplin said.
“It’s a direct response to the waste and recycling fires we’ve seen across the country, and it finally holds industry accountable.”
While NSW leads the charge with this legislation, BSC is urging other states and the federal government to adopt similar measures to create a harmonised national framework.
“This reform can’t stop at the NSW border,” Chaplin added. “We need a nationally consistent approach to product stewardship.”
The bill awaits debate in Parliament, with calls for bipartisan support to ensure its passage.
If enacted, NSW will become the first state in Australia to enforce mandatory battery stewardship laws — a move expected to set a precedent for nationwide reforms aimed at reducing environmental harm and building a circular economy for batteries.
