Kiwis’ view sought on large battery ‘stewardship’ fees
Transitioning to a low-carbon economy requires major increases in renewable energy and electric vehicles and both require large batteries, so the Government is proposing “stewardship fees” to cover collection and end-of-life disposal.
By 2030 about 84,000 large batteries could reach end-of-use each year, up from an estimated 1000 in 2020, it estimates.
“Large batteries are a new product, and we’re taking action now before they become a burden for councils and communities and before they harm the environment,” environment minister David Parker says.
For large batteries the fee will be a new amount, small in proportion to the sale price, he explains.
For example, on a new $62,000 Nissan Leaf, which attracts an EV subsidy of about $8000, the battery fee to the importer would be just over $200.
Parker says it’s part of the Government taking the next steps needed to better manage used tyres and large batteries, and it is inviting New Zealanders to have their say.
“Our plan will see manufacturers, sellers and users taking responsibility for ensuring old tyres and large batteries don’t end up in landfills or the environment,” Parker adds.
The plan proposes a “product stewardship fee” charged at the time of purchase to cover collection and recycling at the end of a product’s life.
The regulated product stewardship schemes will help ensure a more sustainable legacy for future generations by supporting the shift to a low carbon, circular economy, the Government says.
They will ensure all producers, importers, and retailers of tyres and large batteries play their part in a scheme, and require schemes to provide waste product collection to encourage reuse and renewal.
“There is already a cost to dispose of used tyres, but it is not working properly,” Parker says. “This fee will replace the ineffective and inconsistent fees often charged by suppliers when replacing tyres.”
Each year about 6.5 million tyres are imported, but when they reach their end of life only 30% are exported, recycled or used for other purposes such as silage weights on the farm.
“The rest go to landfill or are illegally dumped, causing significant risks of fire and toxic emissions,” Parker says.
“The Tyrewise product stewardship scheme, which has now been accredited, gives us the chance to reuse valuable materials and at the same time reduce environmental problems.”
The scheme follows the introduction of the National Environmental Standard for outdoor tyre storage in May 2021, and the March 2021 opening of the Golden Bay Cement plant where tyres are used as fuel, reducing the amount of coal required.
New Zealand is one of the highest generators of waste per person in the world.
“We need to change the way we think about, and manage, materials and waste,” Parker says, adding the schemes will encourage new businesses and jobs.
Consultation on the regulations for tyres and large batteries ends on December 16 with the Government announcing its decisions next year.
Click here for submission forms and more information.
Join the conversation (3)
Vehicle manufacturers and importers need to be mandated for 100% ownership of battery end-of-life management and recycling , whether that be domestically or offshore. A small surcharge at point of origin , ie importation or initial customer sell transaction, won’t be sufficient to incentivise a sustainable framework.
Yay!!! Finally some sense in the economic outlook into the future.
I’m all for a stewardship fee. All of us need to rethink our priorities and make changes in our lifestyles. This is a very small one but could make a lot of difference. So long as its not simply shipping our problems offshore
When are Nissan New Zealand going to sell new Leaf batteries? We will have a grave yard of 10 year old leafs with tired batteries and no range. A second hand 2012 Leaf can now be purchased for $6 k on trade me , because they are end of life.