As 2024 comes to an end, we extend our sincere thanks to the entire B-cycle community. 

Your support, collaboration, and commitment have been key to advancing battery stewardship in Australia. Since the Scheme's launch in 2022, over 6.2 million kilograms of batteries have been recycled, a significant achievement we couldn’t have reached without your efforts. 

To our partners, Governments, Collectors, Recyclers, Processors, Sorters, Retailers, and Drop-off points, thank you for your active participation in shaping B-cycle 2.0. This redesigned scheme sets a global standard for battery stewardship, enabling Australia to address critical issues like fire risks and environmental harm while unlocking new opportunities in the circular economy. 

To the Australian community, your efforts in safely recycling used batteries through B-cycle are making a real difference. Research shows a growing number of you are taping your batteries and taking them to B-cycle-accredited drop-off points, an important step in ensuring safe and effective recycling. 

A special thank you goes to the NSW Government for its leadership in committing to mandatory battery product stewardship legislation from 2025. This landmark decision lays the foundation for B-cycle’s long-term success and consistent national outcomes. We also acknowledge the collaborative efforts of all State and Territory governments this year, underscoring their shared commitment to sustainable stewardship. 

Importantly, we extend our thanks to our hardworking BSC Board Members and the BSC team. 

Thank you for being part of this journey. 
Wishing you a restful holiday season and a Happy New Year. 

Please note that the BSC office will be closed from Monday 23rd December 2024 and will reopen on Monday 6th January 2025.  

B-cycle 2.0

The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) has released the final design for B-cycle 2.0, introducing strategic measures to enhance safety and establish a sustainable funding model. 

“B-cycle 2.0 comes at a critical moment. The battery revolution is transforming our lives but also presents unprecedented challenges. This new Scheme ensures we can address today’s safety and environmental risks while building a sustainable future for managing batteries across their entire lifecycle,” said Libby Chaplin, CEO of B-cycle. 

We particularly appreciate the letters of support and feedback provided in the survey.  As we collate the results it is clear to see the high level of engagement and commitment to making B-cycle 2.0 even stronger. Also appreciated are the constructive comments and ideas for improvement and we are excited by the prospect of the new more dynamic Scheme design as it will allow us to respond to suggestions for improvement as the technology and regulatory landscape evolves. 

If you missed the deadline, don’t worry, we have decided to keep the survey open to ensure you can have Your Say. The industry insights gathered from your responses are invaluable to us and will help further shape B-cycle 2.0 for the future. 

The new design, combined with the announcement of mandatory battery stewardship regulation in NSW, marks a significant step forward. With batteries being imported, distributed, and recycled across state lines, the move toward mandatory participation sets the stage for nationwide adoption. 

Highlights from our 2024 annual Positive Charge report 

As we look forward to the year ahead, we encourage you to review our 2024 Annual Report. In just our second year of operation, B-cycle has made significant strides: 

• 2,935 tonnes of used batteries collected - a 24% increase from the previous year. 
• 73% material recovery rate - repurposing recycled battery materials into second-life products. 
• More than 5,200 Drop-off points across Australia - up from fewer than 1,000 before the Scheme’s launch. 
• 36% of Australian households now recycle batteries regularly - compared to 25% in 2021. 
• 14.7% Placed-on-Market (PoM) collection rate - exceeding Europe’s 10.7% at a similar stage of development. 
• 15.3% collection rate - reflecting the proportion of batteries collected versus those available for recycling. 

While these results are positive and promising, they highlight the need for continued innovation and regulatory measures to drive even greater participation. 

Get Involved In 2025!

We are incredibly grateful for your support this year and have a number of ways you can continue to support B-cycle and the Battery Stewardship Council in 2025.

• Increase foot traffic, reduce waste, and connect with your community as a B-cycle Drop off point
• Become a Battery Steward and work with other leaders to create a circular lifecycle for batteries
• Sponsor and support our major online and media campaigns to increase awareness and engagement with Australian consumers 

Stay connected with B-cycle socials