Toyota New Zealand has partnered with Phoenix Recycling Group to ensure hybrid batteries are reused and recycled through a nationwide collection system.
“When your hybrid battery reaches the end of the road in New Zealand, Phoenix carefully disassembles it and works with Toyota Tsusho, Toyota’s material handling division, to send Toyota genuine cells back to Japan,” Toyota said.
“Why? Because we’re all about the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle. Keeping these cells within the Toyota ecosystem gives us the opportunity to assess them for the next step in their lifecycle.”
The company said customers who need a new hybrid battery can organise it through their nearest Toyota store.
End-to-End Recycling System
Phoenix introduced its battery recycling project in 2023 and describes it as New Zealand’s first nationwide end-to-end solution. The system accepts everything from small household lithium cells to large industrial and vehicle batteries that carry Dangerous Goods classifications.
Since the start of the program, Phoenix has already prevented more than 600,000 kilograms of waste batteries from ending up in landfills. The company says the chemistry mix has expanded into at least 20 subtypes of batteries across four key categories: alkaline, lithium, nickel metal hydride, and nickel cadmium.
To improve recovery and reporting, Phoenix has also invested in ‘sort at source’ technology. This allows accurate measurement of materials recovered and provides participating partners with reliable data to support their own sustainability reporting.
Hundreds of collection points have been established across towns and cities, making it easier for people to recycle. Phoenix said no battery is left behind, and the initiative represents “a major milestone towards New Zealand delivering product stewardship and achieving its 2030 United Nations climate goals.”
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