Anyone handing in damaged batteries will be asked to pay again
Published: Saturday, Jun 22nd 2024, 09:50
Updated At: Monday, Jul 1st 2024, 05:00
العودة إلى البث المباشر
From (today's) Monday, retailers will be able to charge the additional costs for the disposal of severely damaged batteries. In addition, a provision will be introduced to refund the advance disposal fee when exporting batteries.
According to the Federal Council, the revision of the Ordinance on Chemical Risk Reduction (ORRChem) will give companies more legal certainty. In view of the increasing number of batteries for electric cars, the aim is to ensure uniform implementation of the ordinance.
In Switzerland, all consumers are legally obliged to return batteries and all sellers of batteries are obliged to take them back.
The law distinguishes between portable, automotive and industrial batteries. Rechargeable batteries are also classified as batteries. All types of batteries are considered hazardous waste in this country and must be handed over separately for disposal.
Reusing valuable raw materials
According to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), almost 165 million batteries are sold in Switzerland every year. Most of these are recycled. Nevertheless, according to the Federal Office, too many batteries still end up in household waste, which means that valuable raw materials are lost.
Batteries consist of raw materials such as lead, iron, cobalt, graphite, copper, aluminum, lithium, nickel, manganese and zinc. According to the FOEN, harmful heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury are only present in trace amounts thanks to very strict limits.
The extraction of raw materials from natural deposits has a negative impact on the environment. If consumers recycle their batteries, fewer new raw materials need to be extracted and the resources remain in closed material and energy cycles wherever possible - in line with the circular economy.
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