Following the successful launch of a nationwide battery recycling service in August last year, Phoenix Metalman Recycling (Phoenix) is pleased to announce the expansion of its battery recycling capability through the acquisition of E-Cycle’s battery recycling business.

This represents the next step in the evolution of Phoenix’s full circle battery recycling offering. Importantly, it facilitates a ‘milk run’ type concept in the battery recycling space as it allows efficient supply chain management of the company’s commercial customers and consumers to easily dispose of their batteries and metals simultaneously. In light of the recent changes to national recycling regulations, the provision of such services is that much more significant. 

Phoenix is professionalising battery recycling within Aotearoa, through the addition of fireproof receptacles, heat sensors and independent 24/7 monitoring where applicable. Phoenix’s battery ‘milk run’ is facilitated by the company’s Certified Dangerous Goods Transportation Team, enabling end-to-end battery recycling from Aotearoa to global battery recycling partners. 

E-Cycle has provided battery recycling solutions across Aotearoa since 2018. Phoenix has worked with E-Cycle since 2019, primarily through the consolidation of battery exports. Phoenix has also assisted E-Cycle with the development of sorting and packing solutions and shared information on recycling processes including best practice procedures and compliance.

In 2023, E-Cycle recognised the need for increased investment in order to remain compliant and keep pace with the increase in battery recycling volumes. Phoenix is well placed to take E-Cycle’s battery recycling business forward and meet the needs of the market as it evolves. As such, following the acquisition of the business effective 1 February 2024, E-Cycle’s battery recycling business will fall under the auspices of Phoenix.

 The acquisition does not include E-Cycle’s E-Waste business which will remain under E-Cycle’s ownership.

At present, Phoenix recycles more than 20 subtypes of domestic, commercial, and industrial batteries. To date, Phoenix has sorted, processed, packaged, transported, and recycled 233,729 kilos of batteries. This equates approximately to 10,162,130 AA size batteries.

The acquisition also aligns with Phoenix’s commitment to Toitu Envirocare’s net carbon zero programme and operational environment management practices by developing supply chain efficiencies that reduce transportation emissions.