Lithium Australia adds 110 spent battery collection sites

Lithium Australia subsidiary Envirostream has added more than 100 spent battery collection sites across the nation after signing a battery recycling services agreement with Battery World Australia.

The deal allows Envirostream to collect spent lithium batteries from Battery World’s 110 franchises nationally after a trial program across several stores in south-east Queensland.

The latest partnership gives Envirostream access to more than 800 collection points throughout Australia after similar collaborations with retailers such as Bunnings and Officeworks.

From the start of next month Envirostream will collect and process non-lead acid batteries from Battery World franchisees in accord with eligibility requirements outlined by the national B-cycle plan.

The B-cycle plan provides rebates across collection, sorting and processing points to create a responsible battery lifecycle by keeping batteries out of landfill.

Envirostream says access to Battery World’s network diversifies collection points and has the potential to increase volumes at its facilities in Victoria including a new site in Laverton.

The company says the Laverton site was commissioned specifically to increase Envirostream’s capacity in preparation for the expected increase in volumes of end-of-life batteries.

Lithium Australia Chief Financial Officer, Stuart Tarrant said: “The convenient drop-off points at Battery World stores seek to motivate Battery World customers to sustainably, dispose of their spent batteries, lowering volumes sent into landfill.”

Battery World General Manager, Johnny Kennedy says the partnership with Envirostream will provide an easy solution for customers to recycle their end-of-life batteries.

According to the CSIRO, Australia generates about 3000 tonnes of lithium-ion battery waste each year.

Only 2 per cent of the waste is recycled and Australia’s leading scientific authority says the figure could grow to 100,000 tonnes by 2036.

Envirostream is attempting to address the issue head-on by employing its unique recycling process to shred and recycle lithium batteries from across the country at its Victorian plant.

The battery recycling process delivers a number of end-products that can be reused including steel, copper, aluminium and mixed metal dust.

Lithium Australia is also making steady progress developing its 10,000 tonne per annum lithium ferro phosphate, or “LFP” manufacturing plant in Queensland through its wholly owned nanotechnology subsidiary VSPC.

The subsidiary develops leading-edge materials for e-mobility and energy storage applications in addition to owning a research and development centre and pilot plant in Brisbane.

VSPC says the completion of its LFP manufacturing plant would result in a significant increase in production capacity.

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