DISPOSING OF APPLIANCES AND DEVICES - EASY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND

NEWS

„Her mit Leer II“ – Kickoff for the continuation of the nationwide information campaign

On April 14^th, 2026, the EAK, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK), the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO), and the Austrian Association of Municipalities, representing local governments, held a press conference in Vienna to announce the continuation of the successful “Her mit Leer II” information campaign.

The event focused on a key challenge in waste management: the increasing number of fires caused by the improper disposal of lithium batteries. These are now found in numerous everyday items – from wireless headphones and electric toothbrushes to seemingly harmless products like singing greeting cards. At the same time, many consumers do not perceive them as batteries and therefore often mistakenly dispose of them in general waste or other collection streams. The consequences of this misdisposal are significant: despite a current battery collection rate of 53 % in Austria, several million lithium batteries still end up in general waste each year. In 2025, approximately 36 serious fires were also recorded at domestic waste management facilities, some of which were attributable to improperly disposed-of rechargeable batteries. These fires not only pose an acute danger to employees but also jeopardize the functionality of the waste management infrastructure and cause significant economic damage.

Against this backdrop, the EAK emphasized during the press conference the need for a fundamental shift in public mindset. Building on the success of the first campaign phase (2021–2024), which had already contributed to a significant increase in the collection rate, “Her mit Leer II” is specifically designed to reach the public in an even broader and more intensive manner. The campaign’s goal is to further raise awareness about the proper disposal of lithium batteries and, in particular, to bring about a lasting change in behavior. In addition to increasing the collection rate, the primary focus is on reducing fire risks in waste management. At the same time, the recovery of valuable raw materials should be strengthened, thereby making an important contribution to the circular economy. You can learn more about the campaign here.

The press conference made it clear: Only through the interplay of information, awareness-raising, and concrete calls to action can we succeed in motivating the public to handle lithium batteries responsibly. The participating partners emphasized the close collaboration between the public sector, the business community, and local municipalities as an essential prerequisite for the campaign’s success.

Further information and the full press release can be found in the News section of the EAK website: https://www.eak-austria.at/startschuss-fuer-informationskampagne-her-mit-leer-ii/.