Wireless button headphones or disposable electric cigarettes (vapes) are increasingly ending up in residual waste. According to calculations by the Montanuniversität Leoben, Austrians throw two lithium-ion batteries per tonne of waste, or almost three million batteries per year, into the residual waste. Still too much, says waste management and is calling for a deposit on batteries and an increase in the collection rate.
The goal is a collection rate of 90 percent. The legal collection rate for portable batteries is currently 45 percent and must be increased to 75 percent by 2030.
The Association of Austrian Waste Management Companies (VOEB) welcomes the new EU rules for batteries, which apply from February 18th. However, there is no provision for a battery deposit, but it would be “the order of the day,” says Gabriele Jüly, VOEB President. The EU battery regulation is part of the European Green Deal.
Because of their high energy density, batteries in residual waste pose a major fire risk and endanger waste disposal company employees. The batteries can easily ignite in garbage trucks, sorting or recycling plants. The amount of batteries in residual waste has doubled in six years; without countermeasures, a further doubling to six million is expected. According to the Montanuni, up to six fires a day would occur today.
In 2022 and 2023, the professional collection of used batteries increased, according to the Waste Electrical Equipment Coordination Office (EAK), also because of the “Her mit Empty” campaign, in which 50,000 collection boxes have been set up in stores since 2021.
