Return of used batteries
Performance specification
Used batteries must be collected separately from unsorted municipal waste. The main components of batteries are mostly metals. Their recovery contributes to the conservation of resources. However, batteries also contain substances that are hazardous to health and the environment. For this reason, disposal with household waste is prohibited. Waste portable batteries can be returned to the retailer - free of charge for the consumer. Many local authorities also offer disposal via recycling centres or mobile hazardous waste collection points.
There are also so-called industrial batteries. These include drive batteries for electric bicycles and pedelecs as well as batteries from electric vehicles. These can also be returned to the distributor.
Vehicle batteries are also called starter batteries because they are used to start, light and ignite vehicles. Vehicle batteries can also be returned to the dealer free of charge. They contain large amounts of lead and are almost 100 per cent recycled
The take-back obligation of distributors is limited to those spent batteries that they stock or have stocked as new batteries in their product range and to normal household quantities.
Which documents are required?
None
What are the fees?
free of charge
Hint:If the batteries are automotive starter batteries, a deposit of €7.50 must be charged to the purchaser at the time of sale if no used battery is returned at the time of purchase. The deposit must be refunded when a new starter battery is purchased.
Legal basis
What else should I know?
Further information
Retailers are obliged to inform customers of their obligation to return used batteries.
Private consumers shall be informed in a conspicuous place by means of easily recognisable and legible written signs about the possibility of returning used batteries free of charge at the point of sale and about the meaning of the symbols for batteries requiring labelling.
If this information is not provided, not provided correctly, not provided in full or not provided in the prescribed manner, this is considered an administrative offence which can be punished with a fine. The same applies to the failure to take back used batteries and hand them over to the manufacturer.
Dealers of automotive starter batteries can additionally issue a deposit stamp when collecting the deposit and combine the deposit refund with the return of this stamp. The deposit is not collected if the starter battery is installed in a vehicle and sold or passed on to the end user.
If a deposit is not collected or not refunded or not refunded in time, this is also considered an administrative offence punishable by a fine.
Comments
Notes (special features)
Traders can register as a collection point with the Joint Battery Return System (GRS).
Typing
6
Who do I need to contact?
You can return used batteries to the following facilities:
- Collection points of the municipalities (e.g. recycling yards)
- Collection points of the trade (at the seller)
- You can also use the green bins of the Joint Return System for Waste Portable Batteries (GRS).
Information on the disposal of spent batteries is available from:
Stiftung Gemeinsames Rücknahmesystem Batterien
Heidenkampsweg 44
20097 Hamburg
Phone: +49 40 - 2377-88
Fax: +49 40 - 2377-87