The current status of battery collection and recycling schemes in Australia are explored in light of current developments in product stewardship and increasing pressure to decrease materials going to landfill by originating equipment manufacturers._x000D_
Used consumer batteries, both single cycle and rechargeable contain a mixture of valuable metals and potentially toxic materials that may become a resource/revenue stream to offset the cost of disposal/recycling. Although the volume of batteries discarded in Australia is modest compared to other global population centres, the expected increase in battery use with increasing equipment portability and future developments in the automotive industry, provide an opportunity to recycle._x000D_
The requirements for a battery recycling facility in Australia and the most promising processing platforms that may exploit the resource with enough flexibility to cope with battery developments and market trends, are explored._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:Swainston, J, Wright, S and Bruckard, W, 2006. Opportunities for used consumer battery recycling in the Australia/Pacific region, in Proceedings Green Processing 2006, pp 55-66 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).