The new facility, operated by EcoBatt (a subsidiary of the EcoCycle Group), is designed to tackle one of the fastest-growing and most dangerous waste streams in the country: batteries embedded in everyday products. Found in phones, toys, vapes, power tools, toothbrushes, and even greeting cards, these hidden batteries can cause fires, explosions or leaks when disposed of in kerbside bins.
Supported by a $2 million grant from the Victorian Government’s Circular Economy Infrastructure Fund – Hazardous Waste, the plant uses specialised shredding and separation technology to extract batteries from devices and recover more than 90 per cent of valuable materials, including metals and plastics, for reuse. Capable of processing up to one tonne of devices per hour, the facility represents a critical piece of infrastructure in Australia’s transition to a circular economy.
EcoCycle Group CEO Doug Rowe said the launch represents a turning point for battery recycling in Australia.
“Every home has products with hidden batteries, and until now there hasn’t been a dedicated way to recover them at scale,” Rowe said.
“This plant gives Australians confidence that when they recycle, those batteries are managed safely, onshore, and responsibly.”
The EcoBatt facility is a world first for in-device battery recycling. Image: EcoBatt
From a circular economy perspective, the plant represents both a safety solution and a resource recovery opportunity. Batteries in devices are among the most hazardous and overlooked waste streams in Australia, and addressing them is vital for protecting communities, waste workers, and infrastructure.
“Battery fires are now a weekly headline, too often we see them in rubbish trucks, recycling yards and transfer stations,” said Spyro Kalos, EcoCycle Group National Partnerships Manager ANZ.
“Our partners want real solutions. This new plant delivers them, turning problem waste into recovered resources, ready for refinement and reuse.”
Ensuring batteries are safely recovered and recycled is an essential step in building Australia’s circular economy, especially with the use of electronic items with embedded batteries likely to grow further in the coming years. By diverting batteries from landfill and kerbside bins, the BIDS facility will not only reduce fire and environmental risks but also ensures valuable materials are retained and reused within the economy.
EcoBatt already operates Australia’s largest battery collection network, with more than 7,500 public drop-off points nationwide including in all major supermarkets. The BIDS plant builds on this system by ensuring collected batteries are now safely and efficiently processed onshore.
To learn more about how to recycle batteries or to find a drop-off location near you, visit RecyclingNearYou.