Germans still bin their batteries

Germans still bin their batteries

Germany is the only country – to the best of my knowledge – where it is actually illegal to throw a dead battery into the rubbish bin. This unenforceable law means that lots of householders in Germany must be criminals as many tons of toxic heavy metals from batteries and accumulators are still finding their way into the environment unchecked – because batteries containing hazardous materials are not disposed of properly.

The German Federal Environmental Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA) reports that although it is prohibited, about 50 per cent of spent batteries are still disposed of as household waste. The President of the Federal Environmental Agency, Prof. Dr. Andreas Troge, recently reminded both citizens and dealers that “used batteries and accumulators do not belong in household waste” and to “have them disposed of by specialist dealers or at battery collection points. This is a positive step towards protecting the environment.”

Since 1998 the Battery Ordinance has required all citizens to dispose of spent batteries exclusively through dealers or at collection points especially set up for that purpose (legal obligation to return). Dealers and manufacturers are obliged to take back these batteries and to properly recycle or dispose of them as hazardous waste.

In 2001 only 40 per cent of all batteries sold were returned. This means that batteries are still being disposed of as household waste. This is confirmed in a study conducted on behalf of GRS (a foundation guaranteeing uniform and nationwide collection of spent batteries in Germany). In violation of legal regulations, about 100 grams of batteries per capita wound up in household refuse in 2001. This is dangerous to the environment, declares the UBA.

A particular problem is posed by batteries and accumulators containing heavy metals, such as mercury oxide (HgO) button cells and nickel cadmium (NiCd) accumulators. HgO button cells are used in watches and pocket calculators, and NiCd accumulators are used as rechargeable batteries in entertainment electronics (in portable cassette and CD players, for example) or in accumulator-operated domestic and do-it-yourself appliances.

Mercury oxide button cells contain 20-40% mercury, and NiCd accumulators are made up of about 20% cadmium. Both heavy metals are highly toxic and also have an impact on the food chain. The mercury content of a single button cell, if spread, is enough to contaminate 800,000 liters of water at levels above the limit value for drinking water. Mercury damages the nervous system; cadmium can cause damage to the kidneys and bones and is classified as carcinogenic.

A ban on the sale of mercury oxide cells has been in force since mid-2001. Batteries may now only contain 0.0005% mercury whereas button cells may contain up to 2%. Nevertheless, 21 tons (t) were still sold in 2001. Since the rate of return for button cells is only around 10% of sales volume, the whereabouts of some six tons of mercury is unknown.

The rate of reclamation for NiCd accumulators was about 45% in 2001. With a sales volume of about 3,000 t, this means that almost 300 t of cadmium are not disposed of properly.

The cadmium concentrations present in the environment are in part already above unobjectionable levels. Once cadmium is in the environment it can not be degraded. Any further contamination should therefore be avoided.

A 100% rate of reclamation for sold batteries does not seem feasible in the long term. A limit value for cadmium in batteries and accumulators would therefore be the surest way of avoiding cadmium inputs into the environment. A discussion at EU level on limiting cadmium content to .002% as of 2008 was already underway in 2001.<>