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| Officials at the opening (Source: RenewEconomy) |
Australia’s first lithium battery recycling plant has been officially opened in Victoria, in conjunction with the launch of a state government e-waste processing plan. The plant, established in New Gisborne by Victorian company Envirostream Australia, is the first in the nation to recycle lithium batteries. Only 3 percent of Australian batteries are currently recovered - the lowest rate in the OECD.
The e-waste processing plan, which is being rolled out by Sustainability Victoria, comes ahead of the impending state ban on sending e-waste to landfill, which takes effect on 1 July 2019.
Victorian councils and state government entities will upgrade infrastructure to collect e-waste at more than 130 sites. This will ensure that 98 percent of Melbournians are within a 20-minute drive of an e-waste disposal point, and 98 percent of regional Victorians are within a 30-minute drive of one.
There will be an awareness campaign to educate Victorians on recognising e-waste, how it should be managed, and the environmental and economic benefits of reusing, donating, repairing or recycling it.
Electronic waste - or e-waste - is defined as anything with a plug or battery that has come to the end of its useful life; including old mobile phones, computers, audio devices, refrigerators and other white goods, hair dryers, TVs, heaters and air-conditioners.
Further reading:
Australia’s first lithium battery recycling plant launched. RenewEconomy, April 27, 2018.
Australia’s first lithium battery recycling plant opens. Sustainability Victoria, April 26, 2018.
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