10 February 2025
1. ABRI 2025 AGM – 27 March - Notice of Meeting & Call for Executive Committee Nominations
The ABRI 2025 AGM will be held online on Thursday 27 March commencing at 1pm (AEST). The AGM is an opportunity to hear from the President, Treasurer and CEO on ABRI 2024 activities and 2025 priorities to support members and industry development.
The AGM will also vote on positions on the ABRI Executive Committee. Interested members are invited to nominate by submitting the Executive Committee nomination form by 10 March 2025.
Agenda, proxy form and voting rules
Please note: ONLY PAID UP CORPORATE MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE
2. ABRI 2025 Summit Early Bird special ends 28 February
Watch for further updates. Register here
3. Join the ABRI DG Working Group - used lithium battery packaging & transport
The ABRI DG Working Group consists of members with a broad range of experience in DG storage, handling and transport across used lead acid and lithium batteries. Member companies represented on the group are: Battery Rescue, Batteryhold, Cleanaway, Ecocycle, Infinitev, LexEnviro Services, Livium/Envirostream, and Ramcar/Supercharge Batteries.
The Group is currently discussing the development of a used lithium battery safe packaging and transport guide similar to the ABRI Guidelines: Packaging and safe transport of used lead acid batteries (ULAB).
If you’d like to join the discussion please email ABRI CEO, Katharine Hole. The next meeting is 2pm Wednesday 19 February.
4. Have your say on the effectiveness of the Cwlth’s stewardship scheme rules – due 27 February
The Commonwealth Dept of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water is reviewing the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020.
Of importance to ABRI members is an assessment of the “limitations of current approaches to product stewardship, including concerns around the viability, integrity and impact of stewardship schemes supported by the Act.” The Act supports accreditation and reporting processes for voluntary stewardship schemes as well as schemes where participation is mandatory.
This is an opportunity for you to comment on the existing rules concerning the design and approval of stewardship schemes, as well as your perspectives on what additional changes are necessary to achieve a battery circular economy. Stakeholders are expected to draw on the report from the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group and its recommendations regarding a more comprehensive approach to extended producer responsibility.
Submissions are due by 27 February and the review must report by mid year. Given the upcoming Federal Election, it is expected that the incoming Minister for the Environment will be tasked with tabling the report in Parliament and responding to its recommendations.
Hazardous waste export rules are not covered by this review.
5. Proposed changes to international hazard waste trade rules
Countries will discuss proposed changes to international trading rules on hazardous waste in Switzerland from 28 April to 9 May. Australia is represented at these meetings by the Cwlth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Of interest to ABRI members will be the dicussion around proposals to change the hazardous waste trading framework including:
Waste disposal categories and definitions. Waste disposal categories influence the scope of hazardous waste import and export controls and partially contribute to defining which international trade (transboundatry) movements require a hazardous waste permit. The EU is proposing to capture reuse and recycling of metals including hydrometallurgy processes as a hazardous waste.
Improvements to the prior informed consent procedures to streamline and reduce the time required to obtain permits.
Lead-acid batteries – updates to guidelines pertaining to waste lead-acid batteries uses of lead-acid batteries include automotive, telecommunications, electricity supply, medical and military industrial uses
Batteries other than lead-acid batteries – new technical guideless on safe management. ‘other’ batteries include uses in electronics, electric vehicles, power tools, analysers, and personal devices.
The Cwlth Dept of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is inviting comment on these proposals by 25 February. Please email ABRI CEO, Katharine Hole, if you’d like further information.
6. ABRI Member Events
17 March 2025 - Brisbane - Networking event sponsored by Johnson Winter Slattery
27 March 2025 - Online - ABRI 2025 AGM
17 July 2025 - 2025 Australian Battery Recycling & Manufacturing Summit Early bird tickets end 28 February
7. Guidelines and information papers
5 December - Presentation from JWS Partner, Michelle Laidlaw, information session Greenwashing: Making claims about environmental sustainability and performance
8. Building the Industry’s Voice - out and about with ABRI
Media release (31 Jan) - NSW Environment Minister confirmed for 2025 Sum