Turning battery waste into a local resource
WA’s first lithium battery recycling, reuse and repurposing facility partners with CSIRO on groundbreaking recycling certificate initiative
Across WA’s mining, energy and industrial sectors, battery waste is rapidly building. From handheld power tools and laptops to large-scale EV, ESS and mining fleet batteries, the question is no longer if waste is a problem — it’s what are we going to do with it?
For years, the default options have been stockpiling, costly transport to the east coast or landfill. None of these options make sense in a state that sits at the heart of the global critical minerals supply chain.
That’s where Li-ion Energy steps in.
Based in Perth, Li-ion Energy is WA’s first dedicated battery recycling, reuse and repurposing company, providing a fully local, circular solution for battery waste of all chemistries, sizes and conditions.
CSIRO-backed recycling certificates: turning battery recycling into ESG gains
Li-ion Energy has become the first company in Australia to partner with CSIRO on a groundbreaking initiative for the mining industry — issuing official Recycling Certificates that quantify carbon savings achieved through battery reuse.
Using the CSIRO’s recognised methodology, Li-ion Energy can now calculate the carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions avoided when a mining company’s end-of-life batteries are processed for reuse instead of replaced with new. These results are recorded on an official certificate endorsed by the CSIRO, providing a clear, auditable record of environmental benefit.
This is a breakthrough for mining companies in an area that has historically been a major ESG blind spot. Battery disposal has typically counted against sustainability goals, while reuse and recycling were difficult to account for in a consistent way.
By quantifying the emissions prevention savings, Li-ion Energy’s Recycling Certificates allow mining operators to:
- Report measurable Scope 3 emissions reductions in their sustainability disclosures.
- Strengthen ESG ratings through verified carbon savings, aligned with international reporting frameworks.
- Demonstrate leadership in adopting circular economy practices and reducing reliance on newly mined materials.
A WA-first approach
Li-ion Energy was founded with a simple vision — to keep battery waste in WA, process it responsibly and recover as much value as possible for industry, community and environment.
At Li-ion Energy’s facility, every battery is dismantled, de-energised and sorted on site. Usable cells are tested, recovered and resold for second-life applications, while the remaining materials are prepared for certified downstream recycling.
This approach means clients benefit from:
- No East Coast shipping: reduced costs, risk and carbon footprint.
- All chemistries processed: lithium-ion, lithium-iron phosphate, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lead acid and more.
- Full ESG compliance: chain-of-custody tracking, safe handling and transparent reporting.
- Certified carbon dioxide reduction: using the CSIRO methodology to quantify and validate sustainability gains.
Solutions for mining and energy
Mining and resources companies are under increasing pressure to meet ESG targets, manage complex waste streams and find partners that can deliver local, practical solutions.
Li-ion Energy offers tailored recycling services for:
- Decommissioned EV and hybrid fleet batteries: ensuring safe handling and recovery of valuable materials.
- Energy Storage Systems (ESS): large-format lithium batteries used across mine sites and remote operations.
- Industrial and site e-waste: from motors and switchgear to comms shelters and substations.
- Lead acid recovery: with rebates of up to 60c/kg paid for volumes.
By partnering with Li-ion Energy, mining operators and contractors can remove the financial and reputational risks of battery waste mismanagement, while demonstrating measurable environmental benefits to stakeholders, regulators and investors.
Circular economy in action
The company’s ethos is simple: waste batteries aren’t waste — they’re resources waiting to be unlocked.
Through the recovery of reusable cells, Li-ion Energy creates supply streams for second-life products and applications. Remaining materials — including black mass, steel, copper, nickel and aluminium — are separated and sent to trusted downstream partners, contributing to global supply chains for new battery production.
This reuse, repurpose and recycle model ensures maximum value is extracted from each battery, while minimising landfill and environmental harm.
Compliance and safety first
Working with lithium batteries carries real risks — fire, explosion and hazardous chemical exposure among them. At Li-ion Energy, safety isn’t an add-on — it’s the foundation of everything the team does.
Li-ion Energy’s technicians are trained to dismantle, neutralise and sort batteries safely, supported by strict procedures and PPE requirements. The company maintains a strong compliance framework to meet ISO standards and align with industry best practice, giving its clients peace of mind that their waste is being managed to the highest standards.
Why local matters
WA is a global hub for critical minerals and battery production, yet until now companies had to ship waste batteries thousands of kilometres to the east coast or overseas for recycling.
Local processing means:
- Reduced transport emissions and costs.
- Faster turnaround times.
- Greater transparency and traceability.
- Jobs and capability kept in WA.
It also supports the state’s ambition to position itself as a leader in the battery value chain, from resource extraction to recycling and repurposing.
Partnerships and innovation
Li-ion Energy is actively building partnerships across mining, energy, defence and local government to expand battery recycling solutions. The company offers fixed rate recycling contracts, simplifying budgeting for clients and ensuring predictable costs.
In parallel, investment is being made in research, innovation and collaboration with universities, government agencies and downstream recyclers. The goal is clear — to continually increase recovery rates, reduce costs and maximise the value that can be extracted from WA’s growing battery waste streams.
Looking ahead
As battery demand continues to grow, from EVs to renewable energy storage, so too will battery waste. Li-ion Energy is positioning WA at the forefront of the solution, ensuring that waste is turned into a resource and that industry has a safe, affordable, and sustainable path forward.
The message is simple: Battery waste is building — and Li-ion Energy is flipping the switch.