Free battery delivery from January: Safe and environmentally friendly in Aichach!

Free battery delivery from January: Safe and environmentally friendly in Aichach!

From January 2026, old lithium-ion batteries from e-bikes and e-scooters can be handed in free of charge at special recycling collection points in Aichach and Friedberg. The Aichach-Friedberg District Office has launched this initiative to ensure the safe and environmentally friendly disposal of lithium batteries. The collection points are in Aichach on Augsburger Straße and in Friedberg on Münchner Straße 50.

This measure addresses the increase in waste generated in connection with lithium-ion batteries. These batteries contain valuable raw materials, but also pose fire and safety risks if handled improperly. To ensure safety, only undamaged and cold batteries will be accepted. Critical batteries that are warm, hot, swollen, or leaking should not be brought. Before delivery, all batteries must be insulated at the poles, for example with adhesive tape. If you are unsure, you should contact the district office's waste advisory service.

Environmentally conscious disposal and statutory take-back obligation

There are not only the new collection points, but also a legal take-back obligation for dealers and distributors. If someone buys a new device, the old or defective battery can also be returned free of charge. This ensures that all old batteries in circulation are disposed of properly.

There are currently around 3,309 recycling centers in Germany, although only 150 of them provide collection containers for lithium-ion batteries. These sparse offerings represent a challenge for municipal waste disposal providers who have to deal with the increasing volume of waste.

Recycling and capacities in Europe

The number of recycling plants in Europe is constantly growing. By 2026, recycling capacity will increase to over 400,000 tonnes per year, with a projected total capacity of around 820 kilotons in 2030. The majority of recycling in Europe is done via hydrometallurgy, while pyrometallurgy is used only sporadically. Different recycling projects cover the entire process, from dismantling the housings to producing black mass for refinement, with a strong focus on recycling the valuable materials.

Like that Fraunhofer ISI explains in its report, lithium-ion battery processing capacity could increase to around 420 kilotons per year by the end of 2026. This is an important step in meeting the increasing demand for secondary raw materials in the future.

These initiatives and developments show once again that the Aichach and Friedberg region is at the forefront not only when it comes to environmental awareness, but also when it comes to implementing sustainable solutions. No matter whether you want to hand in old batteries or find out about the latest developments in recycling - the options are there. If you have any questions, the waste advisory service is available at any time.

For further information or if you have problems with batteries, anyone interested can contact the district office at the telephone number08251 / 92 – 3304or by emailabfallberatung@lra-aic-fdb.decontact.