BSC seeks to update and extend battery recycling scheme

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has opened public consultation on the Battery Stewardship Council’s (BSC) application to continue and update its authorisation of B-cycle — Australia’s official battery product stewardship program.

The application seeks to extend the scheme for a further five years, with updates that include an annual review mechanism for levies and rebates, using eco-modulated formulas to ensure the system remains fair, transparent and responsive to changing market conditions and environmental risks.

The proposed changes also aim to strengthen B-cycle’s capacity to deliver stewardship outcomes, including funding for battery collection, sorting and processing, and strategic investments in safety, environmental protection and public education.

“This is a key moment for battery stewardship in Australia,” said Libby Chaplin, CEO of B-cycle. “We strongly encourage all industry participants, governments and community stakeholders to provide feedback. These proposed enhancements are about improving safety, equity and long-term sustainability for battery recycling nationwide. The ACCC authorisation provides the legal framework for the B-cycle scheme which has been designed in consultation with our partners to align with the proposed NSW Product Lifecycle Responsibility Bill as it emerges.”

The proposed updated B-cycle scheme includes the:

• continuation of the levy-based scheme to fund end-of-life battery collection and recycling
• introduction of annual levy and rebate reviews to ensure financial sustainability and fairness
• enhanced ability to invest in safety, circular economy outcomes and consumer education.

The B-cycle scheme was first authorised by the ACCC in 2020 and launched in 2022. It is operated by BSC, a not-for-profit organisation established to manage battery stewardship across the full lifecycle of batteries.

ACCC public submissions now open, with submissions on interim authorisation (to allow urgent implementation of proposed changes) due 2 April 2025. Submissions on the full application are due 16 April 2025.

Responses can be submitted via the ACCC portal.

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