Deutsche Umwelthilfe: 44 Percent of Old Batteries Improperly Disposed Of
Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) reports that in 2025, 44 percent of old device batteries in Germany were disposed of incorrectly. The organization is calling for changes to battery collection laws.
Berlin – The environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has stated that in 2025, approximately 44 percent of old device batteries in Germany were still disposed of improperly, posing significant environmental risks and leading to the loss of valuable resources.
DUH's calculations show a collection rate of only 56 percent for device batteries. The situation is particularly concerning for lithium-ion batteries, with a collection rate as low as 25 percent. Improper disposal not only results in the loss of recyclable materials like lithium and cobalt but also presents fire hazards and the potential release of hazardous substances.
The organization is urging the German government to enact prompt amendments to battery legislation to increase collection rates. Proposed measures include a national incentive system to boost collection volumes, enhanced public awareness campaigns funded by manufacturers, and a Europe-wide deposit system for lithium-ion batteries.
Barbara Metz, Federal Managing Director of DUH, emphasized that current systems are insufficient to meet future legal requirements, which mandate a 63 percent national collection rate for batteries starting in 2027. She also criticized the economic incentives within collection systems, arguing they do not encourage exceeding legal quotas, and proposed a burden-sharing mechanism to benefit more proactive collection entities.