Dangerous disposal: This is how we protect ourselves from battery fires

Dangerous disposal: This is how we protect ourselves from battery fires

The use of batteries and batteries is omnipresent in our modern world. They bring us the required energy in smartphones, e-bikes, notebooks, tools and a variety of other devices. But the improper disposal of these technical miracles has considerable dangers. Again and again fires strike through incorrectly disposed batteries, which not only leads to the destruction of property, but can also endanger human life.

The problems are particularly common in disposal: According to Philip Wollmerstedt, a firefighter from Störthal-Güldengossa, the emergency services must regularly deploy the operations to the disposal location of Cröbern to combat fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. These can easily ignite or even explode if they are damaged. The danger is reinforced by the enormous heat and energy that is released in such incidents, so that the time window wanks for effective fire fighting.

extensive clarification by the campaign

In order to improve this alarming situation, the “batteries” campaign was launched. The campaign is supported by the Wahrfellsachsverband West Saxony (ZAW), the West Saxon Disposal and Userungsgesellschaft mbH (WEV), the city cleaning Leipzig and the Kell municipal disposal district Leipzig GmbH (Kell GmbH). The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the potential dangers of false disposal.

• The website www.akkus-in-brand.de offers comprehensive information on various batteries and their components.
• In addition, there are information materials such as posters, flyers and social media contributions that indicate how and where old batteries and electrical devices can be submitted in an environmentally friendly manner.
• An impressive short video illustrates the danger that comes from a fire -threatening battery and shows how quickly a fire can develop on a sorting tape.

Around 30 fires are created in Germany every day by improperly disposed of batteries. It is alarming to know that only 48 % of all batteries are disposed of correctly. This not only represents a risk of waste management, but also endangers the firefighters, who are often confronted with such fires. District Administrator Henry Graichen emphasizes that batteries are installed in each of these technical devices, which required greater awareness of their proper disposal.

The importance of professional disposal

In addition to the direct fire risk, the recovery of valuable raw materials also plays a central role. Batteries contain valuable materials such as nickel, cobalt and lithium, whose professional recycling is not only necessary, but also economically sensible. A conscious handling of these resources can help protect the environment from harmful fabrics, such as mercury and lead, and at the same time protect the natural resources.

The "Charge" campaign could therefore be rated as an important step in the right direction in order to minimize the security risks and to promote environmentally friendly practices in society. Sustainable change can be achieved by investigating and active participation of the population.

Responsibility lies with each individual

The campaign calls for each individual responsibility when it comes to disposing of batteries and batteries. By taking simple measures and compliance with the information on correct disposal, dangerous situations can be avoided and valuable raw materials can be secured. A small step that can have a big impact.

A central aspect of discussion about the safe disposal of batteries and batteries is the increasing dependence of our society on battery -operated devices. Not only the fear of fires plays a role, but also the growing demand for environmentally friendly energy sources and the associated need to use resources sustainably. According to a survey by the Federal Environment Agency from 2022, over 70 % of those surveyed stated that they were thinking about the effects of the improper disposal of batteries and batteries. These values show that awareness of ecological questions is growing in the population.

In addition, the improper disposal of batteries can also have serious environmental impacts. Lithium-ion batteries contain not only valuable raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, but also environmentally harmful substances. These can get into the ground and water, which leads to contamination of the environment. Greenpeace emphasizes that the risk of heavy metals and other potentially harmful chemicals not only endangers the health of humans and animals, but can also cause long -term environmental damage. The proper disposal and recycling of these materials are therefore of crucial importance.

withdrawal and recycling of batteries

In Germany there is a well -established return system for batteries and batteries. The general battery system obliges manufacturers and distributors to set up systems to withdraw and dispose of their products. According to the Federal Association of Batteries, over 70 % of the old batteries and batteries were recycled in 2022, which shows that the existing systems work efficiently, but there is still a need for improvement. Many consumers are not aware of the existing return offices or do not know how they can safely dispose of their old batteries.

In order to counteract this, municipal initiatives such as "batteries on fire" are supported by local waste disposal companies, which also provide information about the various return options. This includes not only sales outlets, but also recycling centers that guarantee simple and safe disposal. The aim of these initiatives is to further increase the collection rate and motivate consumers to handle these powerful energy sources more carefully.

technological developments in battery technology

An important consideration in connection with the topic of batteries and batteries is the technological development in batteries. The industry continuously researches new technologies to improve the lifespan and safety of batteries. Researchers work on innovative solutions such as solid-state batteries that are potentially more secure and environmentally friendly than conventional lithium-ion batteries. These new batteries can significantly reduce the risk of fires and simultaneously simplify the recycling processes. According to a study by the European Commission, the broad introduction of such technologies could also reduce pressure on the raw material markets in the long term and make a contribution to the circular economy.

In addition, the recycling technologies are continuously developed in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness in recovering the valuable raw materials. Companies and research institutes work on processes that make it possible to extract some of the dangerous chemicals from used batteries, which not only protects the environment, but also increases the economy of the recycling. All of these developments are crucial in order to effectively master the challenges of an ever battery -expressed society.