Reclaiming precious battery materials

New investment from Sustainability Victoria will increase Victoria’s ability to recycle the batteries in personal electronic items, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, electric toothbrushes and tools.

Almost $5 million in grant funding will be provided to innovative projects through SV’s Circular Economy Infrastructure Fund: Hazardous Waste on behalf of the Victorian Government.

Two of the successful businesses, Ecobatt located in Campbellfield and Enviropacific Services in Stawell, will construct infrastructure aimed at processing and reclaiming valuable materials from Lithium-ion batteries.

Among these materials are aluminium, copper, steel, and the highly sought-after 'black mass', which comprises precious elements like cobalt, nickel, manganese, and graphene.

Given Australia only processes a small quantity of Lithium-ion battery waste, these projects will play an important role in boosting Victoria’s ability to reprocess hazardous and valuable battery materials, diverting them from landfill.

SV is building a foundation for Victoria’s circular economy by investing in the right technology and infrastructure.

In a circular economy, we seek to extract maximum value from resources and keep them circulating in the supply chain for the longest possible time. It is critical to tackle tricky waste streams like e-waste and find the best end-of-life solutions for hazardous waste.

Across the 3 funding rounds, Sustainability Victoria is supporting 6 hazardous waste projects which will contribute to the Victorian economy by leveraging $43.5 million of industry investment and creating 53 ongoing jobs.

This investment is being delivered under the circular economy policy, Recycling Victoria: a new economy.

Learn more about the Circular Economy Infrastructure Fund: Hazardous Waste – Round 3 fund recipients.