What is Ecobatterien?

Following the publication of the law of 19/12/2008 on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators transposing European Directive 2006/66/EC, the Luxembourg Trade Confederation (clc), the Fédération des Artisans, Fedil – Business Federation Luxembourg and Ecotrel ASBL set up the non-profit organisation Ecobatterien. The aim of this organisation is to help producers and importers of batteries and accumulators to fulfil their obligations by organising:

the collection of their waste through public infrastructures for the selective collection of problematic waste;

the recycling and ecological treatment of this waste.

What products are involved?

The products involved are:

portable batteries and accumulators : These are batteries and accumulators which can be carried by hand. This category includes all batteries used on a daily basis such as AAAA, AAA, AA and 9V batteries, accumulators used in mobile phones, laptops or portable equipment, and also watch batteries.

automotive batteries : These are lead-acid batteries for vehicle start-up, lights or ignition.

industrial batteries or accumulators : These are designed for exclusively industrial or professional purposes or used in any type of electric vehicle.

What should I do with waste batteries
and accumulators?

To make sure that your portable batteries and accumulators and your automotive batteries are recycled in an environmentally friendly way, you can dispose of them at a waste disposal centre. Luxembourg has more than twenty of these centres, managed by local authorities or local authority joint associations. For further information, please contact your local authority.

You can also dispose of your waste batteries and accumulators at the mobile collections organised by the “SuperDrecksKëscht fir Biirger” initiative. For further information, please contact the "SuperDrecksKëscht fir Biirger" initiative.

Some shops also have battery disposal bins where their customers can dispose of portable batteries and accumulators.

Many garage owners also offer to take back your old automotive battery.

What happens to waste batteries
and accumulators?

Waste portable and automotive batteries and accumulators are sorted and sent to specialised processing plants in our neighbouring countries.

Batteries contain heavy metals and materials which are toxic and harmful for the environment (nickel, cadmium, mercury, lead, iron, zinc, calcium, aluminium, magnesium and lithium). Recycling reduces the negative impact on the environment and saves raw materials. For example, the ferromanganese collected from the casing of old batteries is reused in plumbing or railway lines. The grey zinc-rich powder is reused in gutters or anti-rust paint.

What does the symbol of the crossed-out
wheeled bin mean?