Suche
Mein Konto
Environmental protection after the fire in Nußdorf: Every household counts!
A fire at the Nußdorf-Debant recycling plant raises questions about environmental protection and responsible consumption.
Environmental protection after the fire in Nußdorf: Every household counts!
In the wake of a fire in the recycling plant in Nußdorf-Debant on June 30, 2025, far-reaching discussions broke out about safety standards and responsibilities in the area of battery recycling. The focus is on operators and the responsible authorities, but it is crucial not only to look at the disposal facilities, but also to question individual consumption and disposal behavior. Improperly disposed of batteries and accumulators pose a significant fire hazard, especially lithium-ion batteries, which can become dangerous if damaged or exposed to heat. Therefore, proper waste separation is not only an environmental issue, but also active fire protection.
The discussion about environmental protection and waste prevention is particularly relevant in view of the current incident. According to information from Dolomitenstadt, we are required to consume more consciously and choose long-lasting products. The throwaway society contributes to excessive waste production, most of which could be avoided. Products that are overly packaged and short-lived consumer items put a strain on the disposal infrastructure and should be in less demand in the future. Environmental protection begins in everyday life and in every household.
Recycling and its challenges
There are significant developments in Europe in the context of battery recycling. According to Fraunhofer, the recycling sites are divided into two categories: “Spokes” for pre-treatment and “Hubs” for recovery. The pretreatment takes place in the spokes, where old batteries are collected, discharged, dismantled and mechanically processed. This leads to the so-called black mass, which contains valuable metals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt. Refinement then takes place in the hubs, during which the black mass is further processed. These processes are crucial to recover the raw materials for future applications and reduce the dependence on new raw material extraction.
Europe currently has a recycling capacity of around 350,000 tonnes per year in the hubs and around 300,000 tonnes in the spokes. These capacities are expected to continue to increase until 2026, in response to the growing need for batteries. The need for recycling will continue to increase in the coming years, as it is estimated that by 2040 the amount of batteries to be recycled could grow to an impressive 2.1 million tonnes. Therefore, the correct disposal of batteries is of great importance for a functioning circular economy.
The path to correct disposal
Despite the growing opportunities for recycling, many used batteries still end up in household waste or are not disposed of at all, which not only results in a waste of resources but also environmental risks. In Germany, an impressive 168,708 tons of raw materials were recovered from 212,735 tons of used batteries in 2022. In order to further increase the response rate, a new battery regulation was passed in 2023. The “Battery Back” campaign was initiated to actively encourage consumers to dispose of batteries properly. In addition, since 2009 in Germany there has been a free return obligation for batteries and accumulators in stores and at recycling centers.
The risks caused by incorrectly disposed of lithium-ion batteries should not be underestimated. Fires caused by improperly disposed of batteries are reported weekly. To minimize these risks, care should be taken to tape off the battery terminals and remove them from old electrical devices. The lifespan of these batteries can also be extended by avoiding extreme temperatures. Ultimately, it is important to question your own consumption of battery-operated devices and to establish a more environmentally friendly use of resources.
In conclusion, environmental protection is not only a responsibility of industry but also of every individual. Everyone can make a contribution through conscious consumption and proper disposal of batteries.