Australia’s National Waste Report shows that 531,000 tonnes of e-waste was generated in the country in 2020-2021. That means the average Australian generates more than 20kg of waste, far exceeding the global average per capita of around 7kg, said Planet Ark CEO Rebecca Gilling.
About 54% of these are sent for recycling and about 35% are recovered. Batteries are one of the most concerning types of e-waste. Estimates suggest that 90% of used batteries in Australia end up in landfill, leaching toxic substances into soil and water. However, if properly disposed of, 95% of battery components can be recycled into new products.
To address this, Australian state and territory governments have partnered with B-cycle, a federal government -backed program, to set up drop-off points for used household batteries at community recycling centers and major retailers. Authorities also recommend that, even when disposing of unused batteries in designated areas, people still take a simple safety precaution to avoid the risk of fire or explosion. There are some exceptions to the B-cycle recycling program for batteries, including lithium batteries commonly used in electric bicycles and scooters.
According to Professor Tianyi Ma from RMIT University, lithium-ion batteries are used in more everyday devices than we can imagine, for example in smartphones, laptops, tablets and digital cameras, larger devices such as electric vehicles, cars, motorbikes and even devices for grid energy storage in solar farms. The main risk with lithium-ion batteries is the risk of explosion, because lithium itself is a fairly explosive metal.
To avoid risks, Professor Tianyi Ma recommends storing lithium-ion batteries in a cool, dry place and in a non-conductive container to prevent short circuiting of the battery. Many local electronics stores and waste management services offer battery recycling services, such as Officeworks, Woolworths, Aldi, Bunnings, etc. When removing a lithium battery from a product by hand safely, the battery terminals must be covered with non-conductive tape, such as masking tape, before sending it for recycling to a designated location. Professor Ma stressed that safety is paramount when disposing of old batteries.
There are also a number of product stewardship schemes across Australia for the recycling of electronic devices. These schemes require manufacturers and importers of such products to fund recycling efforts. Phone accessories and associated devices are also accepted for recycling under the scheme, such as chargers, accessories, modems, wearables and smart home devices. Recycling phones through mobile collection is free, through one of 3,000 collection points across Australia or by mail by visiting mobilemuster.com.au and entering your postcode. Mobile phone batteries are also recycled through the Mobile Muster scheme if they are still in the device. If the battery has been removed, it can be sent for recycling through the battery-specific B-cycle scheme.
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Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/muon-mau-tai-che-rac-dien-tu-post745733.html
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