Producers of batteries found in products like electric bikes and scooters will be forced to ensure their flammable products are safely disposed of in laws flagged by one Australian state.
At a meeting of Australia's environment ministers in Melbourne on Tuesday, NSW pledged it will bring in that legislation in 2025, with an estimated 10,000-plus battery-related fires occurring each year across the nation.
So-called 'product stewardship' laws would mean suppliers have to facilitate safe battery disposal by developing collection points, registering products and running education campaigns about the dangers of their products.
At the meeting, NSW and Victoria presented a draft plan with options for mandatory measures which were discussed in the context of a nationwide plan.
More lithium-ion batteries found inside products like e- bikes, scooters, drones and other rechargeable devices, along with poor quality units, have fuelled a spike in fires.
A peak body representing the waste and resource recovery sector welcomed the national discussion, and praised NSW's commitment.
“The waste and resource recovery (WARR) industry is experiencing fires on a daily basis in our collection vehicles and facilities, putting our workers and infrastructure at risk,” said Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association CEO Gayle Sloan said.
“The WARR industry has been crying out for a separate safe disposal pathway to get them out of kerbside bins, trucks and facilities that are not designed to collect these potentially incendiary devices.”
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe made her state’s pledge after fire services have had to attend five battery-related incidents a week this year.
“Batteries power our modern lives, but when they’re thrown in the garbage bin or not disposed of correctly, they become ticking time bombs," she said.
“Properly handling batteries isn’t just good for the environment – it’s critical for the safety of the community, firefighters and workers throughout the waste and recycling industry.”
The NSW State Coroner has announced a probe into lithium-ion battery fires, while products sold in the state from next year must meet internationally accepted standards and be appropriately tested and certified before they enter the market.
Two people died in one incident in March after a battery exploded and caused a blaze north of Sydney.
