Increasing Danger from Batteries: Waste Management Calls for Measures

At the end of September, Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig invited experts from business and associations to a round table to get a grip on the increasing number of fires caused by lithium batteries, which are posing ever greater challenges to the waste management industry. The VÖA – Association of Public Waste Management Companies, which was actively involved in the discussions, welcomes this initiative and calls for the jointly developed results to be implemented quickly and consistently.

Return instead of discard

Austria is advocating in the EU committees for the feasibility study of European deposit systems, as provided for in the EU Battery Regulation, to be carried out promptly, while also considering alternative measures. This is to ensure that used lithium-ion batteries do not end up in residual waste but are properly collected and disposed of through return points.

In parallel, in-depth discussions on compensatory measures for fire protection insurance and extended take-back obligations are to be held to better cushion risks. Another key point is the development of a cash-back system for lithium-ion batteries by the Association of Austrian Waste Management Companies (VOEB) by January 2026, with graduated refunds for different sizes of batteries. These measures are accompanied by a newly launched and significantly strengthened information campaign "Hermit Leer," which holds both consumers and retailers equally accountable.

Incident in East Tyrol as a conversation starter

The round table was prompted, among other things, by a VÖA background discussion with Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig together with the East Tyrol Waste Management Association, a few days after the devastating major fire event in the summer at the Rossbacher company in the Lienz Valley, where the disposal structure of an entire region collapsed.

VÖA Managing Director Dr. Ferdinand Koch emphatically emphasizes: “We need quickly implementable models, as fire incidents in our waste management companies are massively increasing, and thus the medium-sized waste management sector does not fall behind. Because Austria simply cannot afford to lose this support in public services.”

(Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.