Used batteries do not belong in the household waste. You can return used batteries free of charge to our shipping warehouse. As a consumer, you are legally obligated to return used batteries.
Batteries containing harmful substances are marked with a sign consisting of a crossed-out dustbin and the chemical symbol (Cd, Hg or Pb) of the heavy metal that is decisive for the classification as containing harmful substances:
Manufacturer/Importer Information according to § 18, Paragraph 4 ElektroG (new)
The Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) contains a large number of requirements for the handling of electrical and electronic equipment. The most important ones are summarized here.
Electrical and electronic equipment that has become waste is referred to as old equipment. Owners of old equipment must dispose of it separately from unsorted municipal waste. In particular, old appliances do not belong in the household waste, but in special collection and return systems.
As a rule, owners of old appliances must separate old batteries and accumulators that are not enclosed in the old appliance from the latter before handing them in at a collection point. This does not apply if the waste equipment is handed over to public waste management authorities for the purpose of preparation for reuse and is separated from other waste equipment there.
Owners of WEEE from private households can return it to the collection points of the public waste management authorities or to the take-back points set up by manufacturers or distributors in accordance with the ElektroG.
Sales outlets for electrical and electronic equipment with an area of at least 400 m², as well as sales outlets for foodstuffs with an area of at least 800 m², are subject to the take-back obligation within the meaning of the provision if they offer electrical and electronic equipment on a permanent basis or several times a year or make it available on the market. The provisions also apply to distribution using means of distance communication, provided that the storage and shipping areas for electrical and electronic equipment are at least 400 m² in size, or the complete storage and shipping areas are at least 800 m² in size. The take-back must be ensured by distributors in principle through suitable return options at a reasonable distance from the respective end user. Among other things, the possibility of returning an old appliance free of charge to a distributor who is obliged to take it back exists if a new, similar appliance is delivered to the end user which essentially fulfills the same functions. If a new device is delivered to a private household, a similar old device can also be handed over there for collection free of charge. This applies in the case of distribution using means of distance communication for equipment in categories 1, 2 or 4 in accordance with § 2, paragraph 1 ElektroG. This includes "heat transmitters", "display screen equipment" and "large appliances", provided that the latter have an external dimension of at least more than 50 cm. End users are asked about a corresponding return intention when concluding a purchase contract. The possibility of free return also exists at the collection points of the distributors independently of the purchase of a new device for old devices that do not exceed the size of 25 cm in any external dimension and is limited to three old devices per device type.
An online directory of collection and take-back points can be found here: https://www.ear-system.de/ear-verzeichnis/sammel-und-ruecknahmestellen.jsf.
Old devices often contain sensitive personal data. This applies in particular to information and telecommunications technology devices such as computers and smartphones. In your own interest, please note that each end user is responsible for deleting the data on the old devices to be disposed of.
The symbol of a crossed-out wheeled garbage can regularly displayed on electrical and electronic equipment indicates that the respective device must be collected separately from unsorted municipal waste at the end of its service life.
Note on the disposal of used batteries
The following information is intended for those who use batteries or products with built-in batteries and no longer resell them in the form in which they were delivered to them (end users):
Meaning of battery symbols
Batteries are marked with the symbol of a crossed-out garbage can (see below). This symbol indicates that batteries must not be disposed of in household waste. For batteries that contain more than 0.0005 mass percent mercury, more than 0.002 mass percent cadmium, or more than 0.004 mass percent lead, the chemical name of the respective pollutant is located below the trash can symbol - where "Cd" stands for cadmium, "Pb" stands for lead, and "Hg" stands for mercury."
Information requirements
Information obligations according to §18 Abs. 2 Elektro- und Elektronikgerätegesetz
