Australia's annual lithium-ion battery waste is tipped to hit 137,000 tonnes by 2035, and with 90 per cent of current waste going into landfill or getting stockpiled, there are urgent calls for dedicated recycling facilities.
Australia's love affair with lithium-ion batteries continues to grow exponentially through e-bicycles, e-scooters and handheld electronics, but is it an environmental disaster in the making?
"The release of toxic substances … and lithium hexafluorophosphate into irrigation systems can harm aquatic life and pose serious health risks, including asthma, cancer, eye damage, reproductive toxicity, skin sensitisation, damage to bones and kidneys for nearby residents," Dr Arafat said.Australia currently produces about 3,300 tonnes of LIB waste a year, according to the CSIRO, with the federal government projecting Australia's annual wastage to soar to 137,000 tonnes by 2035.
More than half a billion dollars of federal government funds have been set aside to encourage production of batteries in Australia, but exactly how the scheme will work has not yet been figured out. "There needs to be urgent attention given to addressing the existing gaps in battery collection in Australia because the waste and resource recovery industry is literally on fire," WMRRAA chief executive Gayle Sloan said in May.There has been some movement in Australia, such as in Victoria where the state government gave $3.5 million for two recycling projects that will be able to process 19,500 tonnes of LIBs a year.
"The recycling rate for valuable minerals can reach up to 95 per cent, depending on the technologies and processes used," he said.
E-Bikes E-Waste House Fire Battery Fire Battery Waste Management EV Battery Recycling Libs Lithium-Ion Batteries Lithium Battery Australian Research Council Training Centre For B University Of Adelaide
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australia news LIVE: Pacific nations pressure Australia on climate; Qantas’ union feud flares upRead the national news blog for live coverage of today’s top stories.
Read more »
Australia stays tight-lipped on security demands as Australia backs PNG's $600m NRL dreamThe prime minister has refused to say what security guarantees Australia wants from Papua New Guinea in return for backing the Pacific country's bid for an NRL team.
Read more »
Australia news LIVE: Pacific nations pressure Australia on climate; Qantas’ union feud flares upRead the national news blog for live coverage of today’s top stories.
Read more »
From Korea to Australia: The journey behind Australia’s first hangover jelly7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Australia news LIVE: King and Queen to arrive in Australia; Hamas leader killed in GazaRead the national news live blog for rolling coverage of the day’s top stories.
Read more »
Australia news LIVE: Iran hit with fresh sanctions; Foreign doctors fast-tracked to work in AustraliaRead the live national news blog for rolling updates on today’s top stories.
Read more »