The groundbreaking legislation requires manufacturers to take greater responsibility for the life cycle of their products, with batteries the initial focus. The recently passed Product Lifecycle Responsibility Act makes NSW the first state in Australia to mandate stewardship schemes for products that can cause environmental and safety risks. Under this legislation, battery suppliers will have to follow strict rules on design, manufacturing, reuse, recycling and safe disposal.
According to NSW Fire and Rescue, batteries, particularly lithium-ion ones, are a major and fast-growing fire hazard in the state. The waste and recycling industry estimates that improper disposal and poor design of these batteries cause up to 12,000 fires every year in waste facilities and trucks. Since 2024 alone, there have been 384 lithium-ion battery incidents leading up to multiple fatalities.
Under the Act, battery suppliers may be required to register battery products to ensure compliance and safe disposal, set up collection points for easy and safe recycling, run public awareness and education campaigns and improve battery design and packaging for safety and recyclability.
Beyond large batteries, embedded batteries found in everyday devices like cordless vacuums, electric toothbrushes, children’s toys, e-bikes and e-scooters will also be regulated.
“Batteries power our modern life, and we will need them even more as we decarbonise our economy. But without adequate safety and care, we risk more deaths, injuries, and property damage,” said NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe in a press release.
By ensuring suppliers take responsibility for the handling and disposal of batteries, the new legislation aims to protect firefighters, waste and resource recovery workers and the wider community from preventable battery fires. It’s also a win for the environment as more batteries will be safely recycled instead of ending up in landfills.
The Product Lifecycle Responsibility Act 2025 was passed by NSW Parliament on 28 March 2025 and will commence on a date to be proclaimed.
As consumers, we can play a part by making sure we dispose of batteries properly. Visit Recycling Near You for more information and to find drop-off points nearby.