Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) has unveiled the final design for B-cycle 2.0, setting a new benchmark for battery stewardship globally. With improper used battery disposal contributing to rising fire risks and environmental harm, the redesigned scheme equips Australia to meet the growing challenges posed by battery waste.
The updated framework, developed over 12 months of extensive consultation and cross-sector collaboration, introduces strategic measures to improve safety and expand access to accommodate all portable batteries – loose, removable and embedded.
B-cycle CEO, Libby Chaplin said, “B-cycle 2.0 comes at a critical moment. The battery revolution is transforming our lives but also presents unprecedented challenges. This new Scheme Design ensures we can address today’s safety and environmental risks while building a sustainable future for how batteries are managed across their entire lifecycle.”
In the lead-up to the December Environment Ministers Meeting (EMM), BSC has submitted a comprehensive proposal to all Environment Ministers, urging governments to adopt robust regulation to accelerate battery diversion. This builds on BSC’s extensive government engagement and advocacy efforts over the past 12 months.
B-cycle 2.0 has expanded its scope to include vapes, small electronics, and larger portable batteries up to 60kg, making recycling easier and more accessible. The latest modelling indicates the scheme can accommodate 75% of small electronics if included in new regulations in the current network.
With 716 accredited organisations and recyclers already part of the network, B-cycle 2.0 will empower its participants with the tools, funding, and support needed to achieve success. Eco-modulated levies and performance-based rebates ensure equitable participation and incentivise circularity. There will also be targeted funding for public awareness campaigns and infrastructure improvements to drive behavioural change.
“Regulation is undeniably essential for the long-term success of battery recycling. B-cycle 2.0 has been specifically designed for this regulatory shift, ensuring all players contribute to the safety, sustainability, and accelerated diversion,” Chaplin said.
The B-cycle 2.0 Scheme Design directly addresses critical issues highlighted by the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR). As a not-for-profit organisation, BSC is guided by an independent chair and board of directors, with representation from across the supply chain, including recyclers.
“BSC fully aligns with the waste industry concerns about growing risks and will continue to champion decisive government action at the upcoming EMM to make battery stewardship mandatory, unlocking the full potential of the Scheme,” said Chaplin.
The scheme’s new design includes an innovative annual review framework, enabling dynamic adjustments to respond to regulatory reforms, changing technology, market changes, and emerging risks. Modelling from BSC indicates mandatory regulation could double collection rates within 12 months and dramatically reduce environmental harm.
“Mandatory regulation is the Government trigger needed to fast-track our expanded scheme, giving consumers safe and accessible ways to dispose of loose and embedded batteries through Australia’s largest e-waste collection network—B-cycle. It will also secure industry funding for urgently needed education campaigns to keep batteries and battery products out of household waste bins,” Chaplin said.
The final design of the B-cycle Scheme will be submitted for reauthorisation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) this month, with implementation slated for July 2025.