The Future

of Batteries

May 9th, 2017

Libby Chaplin

ABRI, CEO

ABRI is a group of battery manufacturers, recyclers, retailers,

government bodies & environment groups

It is our vision to achieve battery stewardship

in Australia

Shared responsibility for the environmental management of batteries at every stage of the

product life cycle

Research, advocacy, education

& stakeholder engagement

About us

Life Cycle Management ZERO IMPACT

Recovery at End of Life ZERO WASTE

Safety

ZERO HARM

What does the future look like?

What does the future of batteries look like?

It looks

BIG

Batteries are part of our daily lives

The Life Cycle of Batteries

Adapted from Florin, N et al, PV Systems

Stewardship Workshop: Stakeholder Workshop

Synthesis (Prepare by UTS Institute for

Sustainable Futures for QLD Department of

Environment and Heritage Protection:

2016).

Drivers for battery stewardship

Setting the scene – battery recovery rates

In 2012-13, an estimated 400 million handheld batteries, weighing 17,500

tonnes, were sold into the Australian market

14,700 tonnes reached their end-of-life that year

(SRU, 2014) We only recycled 2.7 % of them

✓ We recycle 90% of lead acid batteries

Setting the scene – waste battery projections

Lithium ion batteries projected to increase

by 300% in by 2019-2020(SRU, 2014)

Sealed lead acid batteries projected to increase by 50% in by 2019-2020

Nickel metal hydride & Nickel cadmium acid batteries

are projected to increase by 25% in by 2019-2020

Alkaline and acid batteries are projected to increase by 15% in by 2019-2020

Randell

Environmental

Consulting Pty Ltd &

Blue Environment

for the Hazardous

Waste Section

Department of the

Environment

July 2016

Waste lithium-ion battery projections

Ton

ne

s

This is

where we

are going

NOW

187,000 tonnes

What does that look like in 2036?

The report predicts we will be wasting 100 – 187,000 tonnes of batteries each year by 2036

The Opera House weighs 165,000 tonnes

We know the environmental impact

Loss of valuable resources

Life cycle impact Raw materials extraction

Materials processing

Product manufacture

Product use

Final disposition/end of life

Impact of greenhouse emissions

We know the community impact

Batteries contain hazardous materials

Button cell injuriesACCC estimates 5 children each week

visit Emergency Departments with suspected exposure to button batteries

FireDevices

Uncontrolled recycling activities

Burden on infrastructure & industry Landfills

Battery export is not efficient

Impact of illegal export

Why is this not OK?

https://www.productsafety.gov.au/news/button-battery-national-strategy

Where does Australia sit internationally in non lead acid battery recycling?

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60%

70%

80%

“most Australians don’t mind paying a little more for

rechargeable batteries to cover their recycling.

Only about 10% of Australians wouldn’t pay extra”

Pollinate & Planet Ark consumer survey: 2016

Most

Australian’s

want to

recycle

batteries

ABRI’s efforts to achieve

Battery Stewardship

Button Cell Project

Hearing Care Industry Association

Key supporters

Key partners

Technical guidance

Action RequiredAustralian efforts at Battery Stewardship

have been slow to emerge

Australia US Europe

Japan

Industry Working Group Battery Trials

Provided information about

Consumer willingness to recycle

Trailing different communication options

Market share – recovery rates by brand

Contamination

Testing of collection channels

Provided snapshot of possible program costs

Tested concerns about ‘free-riding’ from non participating brands

National Product Stewardship Act

The Australian Government has listed batteries as a priority product under the Product Stewardship Act

Intended to provide certainty to community & business on products being considered for inclusion under the Act

Act identifies products being considered for accreditation or regulation, before regulations are introduced

The product list serves as this notice

The Government established the battery reference group

& an Industry Working Group to facilitate a voluntary program

Cost Sharing essential Address free riding concerns

Government (Federal/State) To cover free rider costs in short term

Ensure that participating brands & retailers are not disadvantaged

Government (State/Local) Investment in collection infrastructure

Industry Powertool & Non Powertool contributions

based on market share

Retailers Powertool retailers agree to only sell

participating brands

Contribute in case or in kind to collections

Phased approach Power-tools first 2-4 yrs then non-power-tools

IWG - Financial Options Study & IWG conclusions

BIGGEST CHALLENGES

Federal government

commitment

Brand commitment

Free rider concerns

Prohibits battery producers from selling primary batteries in Vermont unless They participate in approved stewardship plan providing free collection & recycling

Call2Recycle is the product stewardship organization

Collects batteries on behalf of Industry stewards (brands and retailers), who pay:

Deposit paid within 30 days of signing the Agreement

Budgeted start up fees

Based on industry steward market share by weight

Levied to meet start-up expenses incurred for the program launch

Ongoing costs based on sales by weight into the Vermont marketplace

Industry Stewards report quarterly on estimated Vermont sales for the previous 1/4

Estimates of primary batteries sold in Vermont based on pro rata calculation of national sales

Reality is that by providing collection sites & education, recovery follows

Case in Point: Vermont State based Extended Producer Responsibility law

Lessons learnedSuccess relies on

Convenientdrop off locations

&

Coordinatedcommunication &

awareness

Randell

Environmental

Consulting Pty Ltd &

Blue Environment

for the Hazardous

Waste Section

Department of the

Environment

July 2016

Our action to manage this emerging waste stream – NOW!

Ton

ne

s

This is

where we

are going

NOW

187,000 tonnes

137,000 tonnes

What does that look like in 2036?

The report predicts we will be wasting 137 – 187,000 tonnes of batteries each year by 2036

The Opera House weighs 165,000 tonnes

The Future of Batteries can be Bright

Action Required

Australia

Call to Action

Commit to creation of a voluntary

stewardship program with light regulation to ensure participation

Provide centralized messaging & information

Streamlining hazardous waste permit process

Show leadership & direction to enable a level

playing field

Most industry players will only participate if

Their competitors are in

It will not disadvantage them

The can avoid future heavy regulation

Federal Government

Call to Action Encourage Federal government to commit to

creation of a voluntary stewardship program with light regulation to ensure participation

Expand state based programs, particularly if federal government does not take actionLandfill bans & levies

Zero waste strategies

Purchasing preferences – buy recyclable!

Waste regulations (Retailers & Brands)

Producer responsibility legislation – take back

Pilot programs

Invest in industry development/innovation

Promote battery safety and recovery

Contact ABRI to get involved in National efforts

State Government

Call to Action

Are at the front line & will foot the bill for landfill

Encourage Federal government to commit to

creation of a voluntary stewardship program

with light regulation to ensure participation

Local government programs, particularly if

federal government does not take action

Continue with local collections and drop offs

Landfill bans

Buy recyclable batteries

Promote existing programs to their residents

Contact ABRI to get involved in National efforts

Join ABRI!

Local Government

Research

Understanding batteries flows

Understanding market share

Exploring new technologies

Testing options and pilots

Harnessing best practice

Knowledge is power!

Government

& Academic

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Call to Action

Show leadership

Get involved in National efforts - contact ABRI

Establishing product stewardship policies

Establishing battery back programs

Encourage Federal government to commit to

creation of a voluntary stewardship program

with light regulation to ensure participation

Highlighting challenges of an unlevel playing field

Encouraging govt address free rider issue

JOIN ABRI!

Brands

&

Retailers

Potential product stewards

Call to ActionOrganizations Buy recyclable batteries

Particularly for energy storage

Check with suppliers

Talk to battery suppliers About take back and recycling

Particularly if you are a big use of single use batteries, e.g. CFAs

Most batteries are labeled so businesses can find out what type they are

ABRI website has a direct link to companies who recycle Simply click on the type of battery you are looking

for and up comes the list

JOIN ABRI!http://www.batteryrecycling.org.au/recycling

Call to Action

Ask your local retailers

Some retailers such as

Batteryworld, Ikea, & Aldi stores

offer take back services and some

Bunnings stores in Victoria

PlanetArk website

Select your post code &

material you want to

recycle

Local solutions at the click

of a button

EXITcycle website

Recycling NiCd

exit/emergency lighting

batteries

Individuals

http://recyclingnearyou.com.au

The future for real battery stewardship can be a reality!

Australia

Together

We can improve safety

We can protect the environment

Invest in green jobs and local recyclers

Libby Chaplin