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1. WHAT ASPECTS OF FIRE RISK PREVENTION DO YOU FIND THE MOST CHALLENGING? |
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The Vic EPA as part of its work on fire risk management in the waste and resource recovery sector has asked ABRI for insights on challenges facing the industry and requested information on how these could be addressed.
Send ABRI CEO, Katharine Hole, an email setting out your thoughts on the below questions or call her on 0488 216 750 to discuss. Your expertise will inform feedback to the Vic EPA on topics such as: improving clarity and consistency of fire risk management rules; need for the development of locally based fire risk advisory services; and support for consumer education on safe battery disposal.
Vic EPA is seeking answers to these questions:
- What aspects of fire risk management do ABRI members (and the broader battery processing/recycling sector) find the most challenging?
- Why are these aspects challenging? What are the key barriers?
- To what extent are there knowledge gaps across the sectors in terms of:
- Understanding fire risk management obligations
- Understanding how to meet those obligations
- Where do ABRI members get information about their obligations around fire risk management?
- What type of information, resources or events on fire risk management would ABRI members find most useful?
- What comms channels do you think would be best to reach ABRI members (and the broader sector)?
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2. UPDATED ABRI BATTERY RECYCLING GUIDELINES |
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ABRI has released updated Battery Recycling Guidelines to support companies participating in the collection, storage and transport of used handheld batteries to a battery recycler. It provides an overview of typical packaging, transport, storage and work safety obligations. The Guideline also provides a starting point on where to find the latest regulatory information.
The Guideline is complemented by a range of tools available on the B-cycle website including guidance for battery collectors, sorters and recyclers on conducting a risk assessment and other useful material for participating in battery recycling activities.
If you have feedback or queries, please send an email to the ABRI Secretariat.
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3. NATIONAL HARMONISED WASTE TRACKING - WHAT ACTIONS WOULD REDUCE YOUR OPERATIONAL COSTS AND STREAMLINE BUSINESS OPERATIONS? |
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ABRI has been invited to provide advice on options to streamline and harmonise waste tracking to the NSW and Queensland team developing the national harmonised waste tracking system.
Drawing heavily on ABRI’s experiences with the Vic EPA waste tracker, ABRI has provided the following observations:
- Thresholds are needed for real time reporting to balance administrative burdens with
information needs on waste tracking.
- Consistency is required with the Australian Dangerous Goods Code.
- Understanding operating practices, including truck sizes, and variabilities in collection patterns and logistics timing is important to inform practical solutions that align with business operations.
ABRI’s detailed comments can be found here – Observations for the national waste tracking system. ABRI will continue to share learnings with the team so please email suggestions on areas where you think waste tracking processes could be improved.
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4. ABRI'S EXPANDING GOVERNMENT ADVISORY ROLE TO SUPPORT THE BATTERY RECYCLING INDUSTRY |
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ABRI’s expertise and collaborative approach to policy and regulatory development is being reflected in the large number of invitations to participate in policy and regulatory processes.
This is a list of projects for the last two months. Any member seeking more information should call ABRI CEO, Katharine Hole, on 0488 216 750.
- Queensland Battery Industry Strategy advisory session (24 August)
- NSW Industry Policy White Paper (roundtable 9 August)
- NSW Critical Minerals and High Tech Metals Activation Fund information session (11 August)
- NSW & Qld national waste tracking system -ABRI President, Ben Pritchard and ABRI CEO, presented opportunities for supporting best practice reporting (3 August)
- FBICRC – representative on Research & Implementation Advisory Committee (17 August)
- Cwlth – National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Code of Practice advisory session (3 August)
- Cwlth Battery Industry Strategy (19 July) – invited to present to Cwlth on key issues facing industry
- Basel Convention – Provisionally appointed observer to review of the waste lead acid battery technical guidelines and development of guidelines for lithium battery recycling
- CSIRO Lithium Battery Recycling Workshop (4 July) – presented on Australian battery recycling industry capability
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5. STAGE 2 - ABRI BATTERY RECYCLING REGULATORY GUIDELINE - QUEENSLAND AND SOUTH AUSTRALIA |
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Stage 2 of ABRI’s project to develop a Battery Recycling Regulatory Guide for Australia is now well underway. This stage is focusing on lead and lithium battery recycling rules in Queensland and South Australia. Two online workshops are being held for interested ABRI members as follows:
- Qld battery recycling regulatory framework
- 10-11am, 9 September – register in advance for this meeting.
- SA battery recycling regulatory framework
- 11.30-12.30am, 9 September – register in advance for this meeting.
Stage 1 examined the regulatory framework for used lead and lithium battery recycling in NSW and Victoria. The initial findings from that work are available at Stage 1 – Working Draft – ABRI Battery Recycling Regulatory Guideline.
The Guideline will cover planning, environmental, transport and WHS requirements. It is being developed in conjunction with Deakin University’s legal internship program and the Institute for Frontier Materials.
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6. AN OVERVIEW OF LITHIUM AND OTHER EMERGING BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES |
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The presentation from the ABRI and ABIA (Australian Battery Industry Association) information session (22 August) on lithium batteries and other emerging battery technologies is now available.
Dr Hiroyuki Ueda, a Research Fellow at Institute for Frontier Materials presented on:
- current technologies – lithium-ion, sodium-sulfur and redox flow batteries
- emerging technologies – ‘advanced’ lithium, zinc air and sodium
Presentation_HiroyukiUeda_DeakinUniversity_Overview of lithium and emerging battery technologies
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7. ADG CODE REVIEW CONSULTATION WEBINAR VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE |
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The webinar video and supporting materials from the ADG Code Review session 23 June 2022, are now available on the National Transport Commission website. The supporting materials include:
- Webinar notes
- Webinar FAQs
The full review of the ADG Code is the first since the seventh edition was released in 2007. Outcomes for the review include:
- Requirements will be proportionate to the risk
- Improving the processes for maintenance of the ADG Code to support easier updating
- Better alignment with international and intermodal processes
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8. QLD DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE - NEW ORGANISATION STRUCTURE + NEWS SERVICE |
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The Department of Environment and Science has released an updated organisational structure. The areas of most interest to ABRI members are:
- Environmental Services Regulation, which covers licensing and permits
- Environment and Heritage Policy and Programs, which includes circular economy and environment legislation and policy
You can join a new information subscribe function to receive the latest departmental news.
ABRI CEO, Katharine Hole, met (24 August) with Accenture staff to discuss the battery recycling industry and how it can contribute to the development of the Queensland Battery Industry Strategy. Accenture is assisting with the Queensland government with the development of the Strategy.
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