Too many batteries still end up in the trash. Fires, explosions, but also the loss of valuable secondary raw materials such as aluminium, cobalt, copper, manganese or nickel are the consequences. A pilot project in Styria is now investigating whether the problem can be solved through financial incentives. If successful, the “motivation system” could set a precedent across Austria.
In the eastern Styrian region of Feldbach, customers who buy new devices with lithium batteries and return old batteries will now receive a voucher worth ten euros, the association of Austrian waste management companies (VOEB) announced on Monday. If the new battery return system is successful, such a “motivation system” could be the basis for a solution for the whole of Austria, according to the Styrian sustainability council Hans Seitinger (ÖVP). “Whoever disposes of old batteries in the right way makes an important contribution to the circular economy,” he emphasized.
The promotion in the test region runs until November 2023: the voucher issued when purchasing a device with a lithium battery can be stuck on another old lithium battery or an old device with a lithium battery and returned to the Feldbach Resource Park or to the participating dealers. There the voucher is scanned, documented in the Digi-Cycle app and converted into coins that can be exchanged for a voucher in the region. “The goal is always to make a one-to-one trade. If a new lithium battery or a new device with a lithium battery is sold here in Feldbach, an old one must always be returned correctly,” says Manfred Reisenhofer, president of the Waste Management Association Feldbach.
Lithium ion batteries and rechargeable batteries come in many different sizes. These can be identified with markings such as “Li” or “Li-Ion”. Smaller batteries or rechargeable batteries in AA or AAA size are not integrated into the project. Regardless of the pilot project, all batteries and accumulators can and may only be disposed of professionally at dealers or collection points and, as emphasized, do not belong in the residual waste under any circumstances.
Huge waste of resources
The project initiated by VOEB is carried out in collaboration with ERA – a subsidiary of ARA – the Digi-Cycle app and other partners. Eleven regional dealers are participating. The goal should be to recycle more batteries and accumulators: “In this way we protect the environment and receive important secondary raw materials,” explains Andreas Opelt, vice president of VOEB and board member from Styria. The national information campaign “Her mit Leer” creates awareness about how to deal with batteries and accumulators. The pilot project complements the campaign.
The EU battery regulation that is currently being discussed provides for a recycling rate for lithium batteries of 65 percent from the end of 2025. So there will also be support from the Ministry of Climate Protection. “The batteries contain rare metals that we desperately need for many products. It would be a huge waste of resources to just throw them in the trash — not to mention the fire hazard that entails,” said Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler.
Source: Krone
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