Did you know Australia has one of the lowest rates of battery recycling of all industrialized nations? Only 2% of lithium-ion batteries in Australia are recycled, and an estimated $813 million to $3 billion worth of valuable components are in landfill. The commonly-used rechargeable batteries are used in mobile phones, laptops, household appliances and, increasingly in electric vehicles. Australians create 3,300 tonnes of lithium-ion battery waste a year, and that figure grows by 20% every year! Lithium-ion batteries in landfill pose a significant fire and explosion risk, and leach toxic materials into the environment. 95% of a lithium-ion battery is recyclable, and some of the raw materials that can be recycled are not available in Australia – making them very valuable.
Source: The Guardian