Lithium battery disposal: NSW Government acts on handling and disposal of batteries after fires and fatalities

The handling and disposal of lithium batteries used in electric scooters and bikes, which can cause fires, will be regulated in a nation-first initiative.

The NSW government has introduced a bill, the Product Lifecycle Responsibility Act, to parliament.

When passed, NSW will become the first state to implement such laws.

The act will create a framework for suppliers of batteries and other products to participate in mandatory stewardship schemes.

This means that those who make and sell the products will have to follow requirements on design and manufacturing, reuse and recycling, and safe disposal.

The first products to be regulated under the act will be batteries.

There are between 10,000 and 12,000 fires each year in trucks and at waste facilities caused by the improper disposal, use, and poor design of lithium batteries, according to waste and recycling industry estimates.

Fire and Rescue NSW have dealt with 384 lithium-ion battery incidents since 2024 alone.

Those incidents included at least 33 injuries and multiple fatalities.

“Batteries power our modern life, and we will need them more as we decarbonise our economy,” Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said on Thursday.

“But without adequate safety and care we will see further deaths, injuries, and property damage.”

Under the planned laws, battery suppliers will have to register battery products and facilitate safe disposal or recycling through dedicated collection points.

They will be charged with running public education campaigns to improve awareness of battery risks and disposal.

They will also be obligated to enhance battery design, packaging, importation, and storage to improve safety and recyclability.

The laws and regulations will apply to smaller embedded batteries found in everyday devices, such as cordless vacuums, electric toothbrushes, children’s toys, e-bikes and e-scooters.