Industry and
Government FAQs

You’re eligible for B-cycle accreditation to become a Battery Steward if you are operating in Australia, and are a:

• Battery Importer
• Battery Retailer
• Battery Drop off point (or you want to set one up)
• Battery Collector: You collect and transport used batteries
• Battery Sorter: You separate batteries by chemistry
• Battery Processor: You recover and/or recycle battery materials

B-cycle is expanding the economic opportunities of battery recycling, with benefits for industry participants:

• Be promoted as an accredited sustainable choice to consumers, industry, and Government.
• Access B-cycle branding and promotional materials.
• Leverage win-win commercial relationships with other accredited Battery Stewards.
• Access B-cycle’s latest research and best practice.
• Strengthen Australia’s resource independence and energy security.

Learn about specific benefits and commitments for:

• Importers
• Retailers
• Drop off points
• Battery Collectors, Sorters and Processors

If you’re ready to go through the simple sign up process, you can join B-cycle here.

To understand the commitments you make when joining, scroll to the bottom of these pages:

• Importers
• Retailers
• Drop off points
• Battery Collectors, Sorters and Processors

There is no B-cycle accreditation fee, however battery importers must pay the levy. Retailers must accept this levy cost from importers, and pass it on to consumers through battery pricing.

Financial rebates are directly available to B-cycle accredited battery Collectors, Sorters and Processors. These Battery Stewards can choose to share the rebate with Drop off points or retailers if this is agreed through independent commercial agreements, however this is not required.

Rebate rates:

• Metro collection rebate: $2.50/kg
• Regional collection rebate: $3.50/kg
• Sorting rebate: $1/kg
• Processing rebate: $1/kg

Join B-cycle as a Battery Steward and gain access to the B-cycle app to process rebates claims.

Batteries must be collected at least every 12 weeks as a safety measure. More frequent collections can be negotiated between Drop off points and battery Collectors.

While it is not yet obligatory to be B-cycle accredited as a battery Importer, Retailer or member of the recycling network, it is encouraged.

• Industry leaders are already accredited and forming commercial partnerships. See who’s on board here.

With your support, B-cycle is building a viable circular economy for batteries in Australia. B-cycle is about more than keeping toxic chemicals out of ecosystems – it secures our resource independence and safeguards energy security.

Support B-cycle, and mitigate supply chain and reputation risks, by including only B-cycle accredited battery brands in your procurement policy. Find accredited brands here.

Your facility can also set up a Drop off point to collect used batteries from your community. Learn more here.

• Sign up to become a committed Battery Steward and become an accredited Drop off point.
• Purchase only B-cycle accredited battery brands when procuring battery related products or services.
• Fast tracking capacity building by supporting local businesses to scale up collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure through grant and other funding mechanisms as appropriate
• Consult with BSC when regulations change to ensure that battery recovery and recycling is enhanced and not limited.
• Seek nationally consistent policies, definitions and regulations.
• Join us and participate in government discussions regarding battery safety and fire mitigation

• Contribute a levy that offset the cost of the Scheme and cover the cost of the rebates for collection, sorting and recycling.
• Pass on the levy cost to purchasers as part of product pricing.

The levy is compulsory for all accredited B-cycle Importers. Failure to pay the levy means you’ll be removed from the network, and will no longer be permitted to use B-cycle branding.

Yes, the Australian Taxation Office has ruled that GST applies to the battery import levy, as it represents the costs of collecting, sorting and processing used batteries.

• Accept a levy cost from battery importers and pass it on visibly to consumers, to offset the costs of battery recycling.
• Give purchasing priority to equipment that contains compliant batteries.

No, you can still sell B-cycle accredited battery brands without being an accredited retailer. However, you can’t use B-cycle branding in-store.

No, it’s optional to set up a B-cycle battery Drop off point.

Providing a Drop off for your customers is a great way to connect with your community, increase foot traffic, and help meet waste reduction targets. Learn more here.

As an accredited retailer, you can’t set up a non-B-cycle accredited battery Drop off.

• Provide a safe Drop off point for used batteries, in collaboration with an accredited Collector.
• Guarantee that batteries are collected by a B-cycle Battery Collector, so that they’re recycled safely to protect people and the planet. Find a Battery Steward here.

• The first step is to get B-cycle accredited as a Battery Steward. You can join B-cycle here, or learn more about benefits and requirements for Drop off points here.
• After you join, you’ll be guided through online safety training, including how to safely set up and manage a drop off container.
• Finally, find a B-cycle accredited battery Collector to partner with, who will collect batteries from your Drop off Point and transport them for sorting and processing. Your Collector will help you determine what type of drop off container you need, and will most likely provide one for you.
• Find an Accredited Collector here.

Once you’ve joined B-cycle, you will be added to our Drop off point database. People and businesses will be able to search for and find you on the B-cycle website.

If you don’t wish to be a public Drop off point, you can let us know during the sign-up process. As a private Drop off point, you won’t be visible on the B-cycle website, but you can still access B-cycle branding for your own communications.

No. You can elect to be a private Drop off point, and just collect batteries for your organisation or facility. During the membership sign up process, you’ll be prompted to let us know if you want to be a public or private Drop off point.

B-cycle doesn’t provide drop off containers. However, your accredited battery Collector that you partner with may provide a container, or give you guidance on selecting a container. After you join B-cycle, you’ll be guided through online safety training, including how to safely set up and manage your drop off container.

• ​Requirements for B-cycle accredited Collectors, Sorters and Processors can be found on Recycling Network here