6 March 2025 - INTERVIEW ALERT
Expert commentary available on Productivity Commission’s circular economy report & battery stewardship
The Productivity Commission’s just released interim report on Australia’s Circular Economy: Unlocking the Opportunities has called for stronger regulatory harmonisation to drive circularity, particularly for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and small electrical and electronic equipment (SEEE) with embedded batteries.
Libby Chaplin, CEO of B-cycle, Australia’s first government-backed battery stewardship scheme, is available for interviews to discuss:
- How inconsistent regulation and in some cases a lack of regulation is hindering battery recycling and the transition to a circular economy
- Why regulatory harmonisation is critical for Australia to maximise resource recovery and reduce waste
- The Productivity Commission’s findings and how they align with B-cycle’s ongoing advocacy for reform
- B-cycle’s leadership in battery stewardship and how an aligned national approach can enhance its impact
Libby Chaplin is a recognised expert in product stewardship and resource recovery, with over 20 years of experience advising government, industry, and the environmental sector. As CEO of B-cycle, she leads Australia’s official battery recycling scheme, which has successfully recovered over 6.2 million kilograms of batteries and 73% of materials since its launch in 2022. A strong advocate for regulatory reform, she has worked internationally to develop circular economy strategies that eliminate free riders and promote sustainable resource management.
What the Productivity Commission’s circular economy report means for battery stewardship:
The Productivity Commission’s interim report highlights how outdated and inconsistent regulations are limiting innovation in battery recycling and reuse, particularly in the management of EV batteries and SEEE with embedded batteries. It calls for regulatory harmonisation to improve circular economy outcomes and enable new business models that prioritise sustainability.
"The Productivity Commission’s findings reinforce what we’ve long been calling for - nationally harmonised regulation is essential to accelerate battery recycling and ensure all players contribute fairly. While Australia has made progress in collecting loose batteries, significant gaps remain for EV batteries and small electrical equipment with embedded batteries. Without urgent regulatory alignment, we risk falling behind in circular economy innovation and losing valuable materials to landfill. This is a pivotal moment for the government to take decisive action and implement the reforms needed to future-proof Australia’s battery stewardship system." Chaplin said.
ENDS
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW: Libby Chaplin, CEO, B-cycle
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Claire Maloney | 0431 279 785 | claire@thebraveryishere.com
About us:
ABOUT BSC AND B-CYCLE: The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC), established in 2018, aims to build and sustain a strong battery stewardship community, supporting Australia’s transition to a circular economy. Its flagship initiative, the B-cycle Scheme, is Australia’s first nationwide, government-backed battery stewardship scheme, facilitating safe and accessible battery recycling for consumers across metropolitan, regional, and remote areas. Launched in 2022, B-cycle is authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and supported by the Federal, State and Territory Governments. It unites industry, government, and everyday Australians under BSC’s vision to ensure the responsible management of batteries across their entire lifecycle while conserving Australia’s finite resources.
