B-cycle Scheme update

The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) is pleased to announce that we have submitted the draft re-authorisation application to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). This marks an important step in securing the long-term future of B-cycle.

We look forward to working closely with the ACCC throughout this process, with a final determination expected in the first half of 2025. The determination will be based on the Proposed Final Design for B-cycle 2.0, which we recently outlined in our webinar.

If you would like more information about the re-authorisation process or the future of B-cycle, please reach out to our team. We would also be happy to arrange a dedicated webinar for your team to walk through the key updates and how B-cycle 2.0 could work for you.

For inquiries or to schedule a session, contact us at contact@bsc.org.au

B-cycle update webinar

Join us on March 5, from 10.30 – 11.30am for a B-cycle update webinar, where we’ll share the latest on the Scheme Review process and what’s ahead for B-cycle 2.0. 

What to Expect in the Webinar

Key updates on the Scheme Review process
The phased rollout of B-cycle 2.0, including an expanded scope and improvements to battery collection and recycling.
Proposed regulatory reforms and what they mean for industry and consumers.
Next steps in the ACCC re-authorisation process and how stakeholders can stay engaged.

This webinar will provide insights into the latest developments, with time for questions and discussion on the future of the Scheme.

Click here to register

Introducing our new BSC Board members

We are pleased to welcome Janelle Marr, Dr. Martin Stirling, and Mark Verzi to the Battery Stewardship Council Board.

Janelle Marr brings over 25 years of experience in governance, strategy, and business transformation across diverse sectors including infrastructure, energy, finance, and conservation. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has held senior roles in KPMG and EY before founding StepBeyond Strategy, a corporate advisory firm.

Dr. Martin Stirling is the Head of Sustainability and Regional Process Lead for After Market Services at Hilti Australia. With a background in mechanical and materials engineering, Martin has extensive experience in advancing safety and productivity in construction through innovative solutions. In his current role, he collaborates with stakeholders to reduce carbon footprints and champion health and safety initiatives.

Mark Verzi  is the Business Director for Energizer Australia across Australia and New Zealand. Mark has over 14 years’ experience within the battery industry working across the Australian, New Zealand and United Kingdom markets in various roles.

Their combined expertise and leadership will strengthen our efforts to build a sustainable, circular future for batteries in Australia.

Recognition for Margaret Donnan

We are proud to congratulate Margaret Donnan AM, Independent Director of the Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) and Chair of BSC's Risk and Audit Committee, on being recognised with an Australia Day Honour  this January. Margaret was awarded a  Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to occupational hygiene, chemical engineering, and professional associations.

Margaret has a wealth of national and international expertise in governance, risk management, and public policy, with leadership roles across government, industry, and the not-for-profit sector. Her contributions include shaping occupational health and safety and major hazard regulations, advancing chemical industry sustainability, and strengthening environmental protection frameworks. Alongside her role with BSC, she currently serves on the Board of the Victorian Environment Protection Authority and chairs the Audit and Risk Committee of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.

We congratulate Margaret on this well-deserved recognition and thank her for her ongoing contributions to BSC.

Summer awareness campaign

Our campaign "Be Bin-Smart and Battery-Safe" urges Australians to properly recycle used batteries, especially after the summer holiday season when many households accumulate them from popular battery-powered gifts.

We have partnered with Cleanaway Waste Management, to highlight that battery-related fires are on the rise across Australia. We're working to encourage Australians to understand the dangers posed by damaged lithium-ion batteries and advise buying devices only from reputable retailers and disposing of batteries at designated recycling points to protect both homes and communities.

We have a number of future opportunities this year for you to get involved and feature in media and digital campaigns.

Interested in working with us on a future battery safety campaign? Reach out to Cara Delmas via  cara@bsc.org.au

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