Onshore Battery Recycling: A Critical Investment for Australia

The surge in battery use across industries presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While batteries power our technology, transport, and energy storage, their end-of-life management remains a critical issue. To build a truly circular economy, Australia must prioritise onshore battery recycling infrastructure.  Additionally, enhancing onshore processing will strengthen Australia’s manufacturing capabilities and ensure that resources are secured locally.

For years, Australia has relied on exporting spent batteries overseas, a model that is increasingly unsustainable. Global supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and evolving regulations make offshore processing unreliable. Worse, it limits transparency and control over environmental outcomes. We must take charge of our battery waste, ensuring valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, graphite and nickel are recovered safely and efficiently.

Scaling up onshore recycling requires strategic investment in infrastructure, technology, and regulation. As an industry leader, we at Ecocycle, have dedicated resources to expanding battery processing capabilities locally, incorporating advanced safety and recovery measures. But industry investment alone is not enough—we need government incentives, policy support, and strict product stewardship regulations to drive participation,  compliance and positive impact.

A well-developed domestic recycling sector strengthens Australia’s resource security, reduces landfill waste, and creates jobs. Programs like B-cycle are increasing awareness, but we must accelerate efforts to scale up recycling networks and facilities.

By treating used batteries as valuable resources rather than waste, Australia can position itself as a leader in sustainable energy and materials recovery.

The time to act is now—investing in local recycling capabilities today will secure a cleaner, more resilient future for all.

Doug Rowe
Chief Executive Officer
Ecocycle Group ANZ