A new national pen and battery recycling initiative has been launched by the Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, Trevor Evans.
The national scheme will see batteries and ballpoint and marker pens joining computers, phones and ink toner cartridges in Australia’s recycling ranks.
“It is another step forward in Australia transitioning towards a more circular economy in which we recognise the value of our waste resources and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill,” Mr Evans said.
“Every Australian — all levels of Government, industry, communities and individuals— has a part to play in the waste and recycling revolution underway, and recycling old batteries and plastic pens and markers is one very practical and easy thing we can all do,” he said.
“Currently only three per cent of batteries are recycled in Australia, providing a significant opportunity to increase recycling rates for this waste stream.”
He said that under the new scheme, batteries and pens could be dropped off at selected Officeworks stores across Australia for recyling.
Mr Evans said the Government was committed to seeing Australia become a world-leader in recycling and waste reduction, which would provide practical benefits to both our environment and our economy.
He said Officeworks was planning to have battery recycling available in all its stores, and pen recycling in most stores, by the end of 2020.
The stationery chain is to recycle batteries in partnership with Envirostream, and pens and markers in partnership with BIC.
