Battery Industry Working Group to meet in Toowoomba ahead of recycling trial

A voluntary rechargeable battery recycling trial will soon begin in southern Queensland.

Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles said the two-month collection trial would take place in Toowoomba with collections starting this month and running until 5 September.

The trial is part of the ongoing development of a national voluntary rechargeable battery program led by the Queensland Government.

“The Toowoomba collection trial involves 14 collection partners,” Dr Miles said

“At no cost, people can drop off their used rechargeable batteries at the University of Southern Queensland, Officeworks, Bunnings, Battery World, Betta Electrical, IGA, Lifeline, BCF, Super Cheap Auto, Trade Tools and the Toowoomba Regional Council transfer stations at Kleinton, Pittsworth and Wellcamp.”

Dr Miles said the trial was co-funded by EHP, which contributed $40,000. Members of a Battery Industry Working Group, including Panasonic, Energizer, Duracell, Canon, Battery World, Officeworks and Toshiba, each contributed $1500.

“Members of this working group are meeting in Toowoomba tomorrow (19 July) and will visit several of the collection points to see collection bin installations and signage first-hand.”

Dr Miles said Toowoomba was selected for the recycling trial as the region was a ‘greenfields’ area where few battery collection programs had occurred.

“We have received overwhelming support for this trial and I congratulate and thank the partners who provided collection sites.

“The trial is not only intrinsically good for the environment, it will give us useful data on how willing people are to separate rechargeable from non-rechargeable batteries, how they use different collection methods and collection points, and the effectiveness of our public messages about recycling rechargeable batteries.”

Dr Miles said all rechargeable batteries collected during the Toowoomba trial would be recycled.

“Some can be recycled in Australia while others need to be exported for recycling, with this done under strict conditions.”

Dr Miles said Australia Post (Star Track), Planet Ark and MRI Recycling – the team that successfully delivered a power tool battery trial in Brisbane from September 2015 to June 2016 – had been contracted for the logistics, communication and recycling of rechargeable batteries during the trial.

“Industry’s commitment to this initiative ensures a successful trial that will deliver important information to develop a national stewardship program that will provide a convenient and cost-effective way for people to recycle old batteries.

“This will reduce the amount of these batteries going to landfill each year and lessen the potential environmental harm they pose.”

Information on the Toowoomba trial is available at www.RecyclingNearYou.com.au/Rechargeables.

ENDS

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