B-cycle, Australia’s national battery recycling scheme developed by the Battery Stewardship Council (BSC), says the NSW Government’s decision to open public consultation on draft battery regulations marks a critical step towards safer, more responsible battery use and disposal across the country.

The draft regulations, now open for comment under the Product Lifecycle Responsibility Act 2025, will make NSW the first state to require battery brand owners to take responsibility for the safe collection and recycling of their products at end of life.

“This is an important milestone that shifts the conversation from policy to action,” said Libby Chaplin, CEO, B-cycle.

“The regulations under consultation in NSW will set the benchmark for how product stewardship can deliver safer and more sustainable outcomes for batteries, protecting communities, the environment and the waste and recycling industry.”

Battery fires pose increasing risks in both homes and the waste and recycling sector. More than 10,000 fires are estimated to occur across Australia’s waste and recycling streams each year, while NSW Fire and Rescue has already responded to more than 240 battery-related incidents this year. The cost of a single materials recycling facility destroyed by a lithium-ion battery fire can reach between $60 million and $75 million and replacing a damaged waste or recycling truck can cost between $250,000 and $500,000^[1].

“The B-cycle Scheme, and our community of more than 700 accredited partners, is already established, proven and ready to scale to meet these new requirements. B-cycle 2.0 currently being considered for authorisation by the ACCC has been designed to fit hand in glove with emerging regulations, ensuring a seamless fit as state and national frameworks evolve.

“We’ve built the systems, partnerships and transparency mechanisms to make responsible battery recycling safe, efficient and effective. Regulation will bring everyone to the table, closing gaps in the supply chain and delivering real safety and circularity outcomes.” concluded Chaplin.

Public consultation on the draft NSW battery regulations is open until 14 November 2025.

ABOUT BSC AND B-CYCLE: The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC), established in 2018, aims to build and sustain a strong battery stewardship community, supporting Australia’s transition to a circular economy. Its flagship initiative, the B-cycle Scheme, is Australia’s first nationwide, government-backed battery stewardship scheme, facilitating safe and accessible battery recycling for consumers across metropolitan, regional, and remote areas. Launched in 2022, B-cycle is authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and supported by the Federal, State and Territory Governments. It unites industry, government, and everyday Australians under BSC’s vision to ensure the responsible management of batteries across their entire lifecycle while conserving Australia’s finite resources.

[1] All fire estimates, and costs for replacement/damage in the waste and recycling industry, from ACOR

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