NRW Environment Minister is calling for Pfand for Battery: Fire protection urgently needed!

NRW Environment Minister is calling for Pfand for Battery: Fire protection urgently needed!

Environment Minister Oliver Krischer has brought a new deposit system for lithium -based batteries into conversation. The proposal comes in response to the alarming increase of fires in waste processing plants, which are triggered by improperly disposed of batteries. In particular, batteries of e-cigarettes, cell phones and electrical appliances represent a serious source of danger and cause billions in sorting systems every year. These fires are a serious problem today, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia, where around 100 garbage plants are on fire every year, often due to incorrect disposal methods. Loud Dewezet.de Consumers often do not return their old batteries and batteries to sales outlets, but dispose of unsorted them in residual waste.

This problem is reinforced by the increasing sales and waste quantities of lithium-containing batteries (lib). An expert opinion of the Environmental Federal Office shows that a deposit for lib could help promote the correct disposal, to reduce fire events along the disposal chain and to increase the collection of old batteries. Many actors are already calling for such a system to be introduced. In addition to better consumer education, effective return and pledge systems could also significantly improve the situation.

urgency of the measures

In recent years, the use of lithium-ion batteries has multiplied in our everyday life. These batteries can be found in a variety of devices, including e-cars, e-bikes, cell phones and even lawnmowers. With increasing electrification, the need to dispose of lithium-ion batteries has become a central topic. The lifespan of such batteries is usually only three to five years, while industrial batteries can last up to eight years and longer. Nevertheless, the life cycle of batteries has to be rethought, as well as the remondis-entsorge.de . An adequate withdrawal and recycling of batteries must be integrated into a functioning circulatory system in order to minimize environmental pollution.

However, the challenges in the introduction of a deposit system should not be underestimated. This includes the piking survey, the technical return design and the correct labeling of the batteries. Despite these difficulties, political actors have already spoken out for a plan of measures. The traffic light government rejected the proposal at the end of 2024, but the urgency for effective measures to prevent the uncontrolled waste disposal of batteries remains. The Federal Government calls on Krischer to finally become active and pave the way for a sustainable solution.