Brussels, 30 June 2026 – Incorrectly disposed lithium-ion batteries are becoming a major safety risk for people, businesses and the circular economy in Europe. At a parliamentary breakfast in the European Parliament today, BDE Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft and Denuo brought together representatives from the European Parliament, the European Commission, industry, fire services, and the waste management and recycling sector to discuss effective European solutions to battery fires in collection vehicles, sorting facilities, recycling plants and other waste management facilities.
The event was hosted by the Members of the European Parliament Pascal Arimont (EPP, Belgium) and Grégory Allione (Renew Europe, France). The discussion focused on how Europe can better protect its recycling and waste management infrastructure from fires caused by incorrectly disposed batteries and accumulators.
Lithium-ion batteries are now built into numerous everyday products – from smartphones, laptops and electric toothbrushes to toys, e-cigarettes and small household appliances. If these products are not collected separately but disposed of via residual waste, paper collections, metal scrap or other waste streams, they can cause significant damage in collection vehicles, sorting facilities and recycling plants.
The risk is particularly high when batteries are mechanically damaged, compressed or shredded during collection, sorting or treatment. They can then ignite and cause fires. Such incidents endanger employees, fire service personnel and local residents. At the same time, they lead to high property damage, rising insurance risks and considerable disruption to the functioning of the circular economy.
Studies and surveys from Germany and Austria show that incorrectly disposed batteries and accumulators pose a growing fire risk for the waste management and recycling sector. Collection vehicles, storage areas, sorting facilities, recycling plants and other waste treatment facilities are particularly affected. Analyses of residual waste also show that significant quantities of batteries and accumulators are still not collected separately. The increasing share of lithium-based batteries is particularly problematic, as they pose a high fire risk when exposed to mechanical stress.
BDE and Denuo therefore call for a coordinated European package of measures. This should include in particular:
- an EU-wide deposit and return system for portable batteries, batteries for light means of transport and small electrical appliances with integrated batteries;
- a ban on products in which lithium-ion batteries are built in without functional necessity, such as disposable e-cigarettes or light-up disposable products;
- consistent extended producer responsibility to ensure that producers make an appropriate contribution to the costs caused by battery fires;
- better consumer information on the separate and safe return of batteries, accumulators and battery-powered electrical devices.
For years, BDE has been raising consumer awareness through its “Brennpunkt: Batterie” campaign, providing information on the proper disposal of batteries and accumulators. The campaign makes clear that batteries and accumulators must never be disposed of in waste bins but must be returned via the designated collection points.
The issue has also gained significantly greater attention at European level.
At the end of last year, the Environment Council of the European Union discussed, on the initiative of Austria, the risks posed by incorrectly disposed lithium batteries and the possible introduction of an EU-wide battery deposit system. In the view of BDE and Denuo, this discussion must now urgently be translated into concrete political measures.
Pascal Arimont, Mitglied des Europäischen Parlaments:
“Today’s discussion made one thing very clear: the growing fire risk posed by improperly disposed lithium batteries is a European challenge that requires a European response. We need better collection systems, stronger extended producer responsibility, and clear incentives to keep batteries out of residual waste. The European Commission should now move swiftly from acknowledging the problem to presenting concrete legislative proposals. Every day we delay means more batteries ending up in residual waste and more avoidable fires across Europe.”
Dr Christian Suhl, Managing Director and Head of BDE’s Brussels Office:
“Battery fires do not stop at national borders – and neither should the solutions. Waste management and recycling companies across Europe are exposed to the same risks. We need a harmonised European legal framework that prevAbout Denuoents fires, strengthens the safe collection of batteries and distributes the costs fairly.”
Aarnout Ecker, General Manager of Denuo:
“The transition to a circular and electrified society must not create new safety risks. Europe has the necessary instruments to solve this problem. Now is the time to use them consistently.”
About Denuo
Denuo is the Belgian employers’ association for the private waste management and recycling sector. Together with its member companies, the association is committed to a circular future in which waste is used as a valuable raw material for new products. More information: www.denuo.be
About BDE
BDE Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft e. V. was founded in 1961 and is the industry association of the German waste management, water and circular economy. BDE member companies represent 75 percent of the privately generated turnover in the economic sectors of wastewater management, collection, treatment, disposal and recycling of waste, as well as remediation and other waste management services. More information: www.bde.de
Press contact:
Maarten Geerts
Communications Manager, Denuo
Email: maarten.geerts@denuo.be
Tel.: +32 2 757 91 70
www.denuo.be
Dirk Böttner-Langolf
Tel.: +49 30 590 03 35-20
Press Officer
Email: boettner-langolf@bde.de
