Environmental protection after Brand in Nußdorf: Every household counts!

Environmental protection after Brand in Nußdorf: Every household counts!

In the course of a fire event in the recycling facility in Nußdorf-Debant on June 30, 2025, far-reaching discussions about the security standards and responsibilities in the area of recycling of batteries have flared up. The focus is on operators and the responsible authorities, but it is crucial not only to look at the disposal systems, but also to question individual consumption and disposal behavior. Invisely disposal of batteries and batteries, a significant risk of fire, in particular lithium-ion batteries, which can be dangerous in the event of damage or heat. Therefore, a real waste separation is not only an environmental question, 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 durable products. The throw -away company contributes to excessive garbage production, the majority of it could be avoided. Products that are exaggerated and short -lived consumption items burden the disposal infrastructure and should be in demand less in the future. Environmental protection begins in everyday life and in every household.

recycling and its challenges

In the context of the battery recycling, there are significant developments in Europe. According to Fraunhofer, the recycling locations are divided into two categories: "Spokes" for pretreatment and "hubs" for recovery. In the spokes, the pretreatment takes place, where old batteries are collected, unloaded, disassembled and mechanically processed. This leads to the so -called black mass, which contains valuable metals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt. In the hubs, the refinement is then carried out, in which the black mass is processed. These procedures are crucial to regain the raw materials for future applications and reduce the dependence on new raw material reduction.

currently Europe has a recycling capacity of around 350,000 tons per year in the hubs and about 300,000 tons in the spokes. These capacities should continue to increase by 2026, which represents a reaction to the growing need for batteries. The need for recycling will continue to increase in the coming years, since the amount of batteries to be recycling could grow to impressive 2.1 million tons by 2040. Therefore, the correct disposal of batteries for a functioning circular economy is of great importance.

The way to the correct disposal

Despite the growing possibilities of the recycling, many old batteries still end up in household waste or are not disposed of, which not only has a waste of resources but also environmental dangers. In Germany, an impressive 168,708 tons of raw materials was recovered from 212,735 tons of old batteries. In order to further increase the response rate, a new battery regulation was passed in 2023. The “battery back” campaign was initiated in order to actively encourage consumers for professional disposal. In addition, there has been a free return obligation for batteries and batteries in retail as well as at recycling centers since 2009 in Germany.

The risks due to incorrectly disposed lithium-ion batteries should not be underestimated. Fires are reported weekly, which are triggered by improperly disposed of batteries. In order to minimize these dangers, care should be taken to stick on the poles of the batteries and remove them from electrical devices. The lifespan of this battery 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 way of dealing with resources.

dolomitenstadt , Fraunhofer href = "https://wir-lieben-recycling.de/batterien-und-recycling/"> We love recycling