Belgian recyclers protest rising battery fires
Battery fires have tripled in Belgian recycling companies over the past three years, from 20 to 60 incidents per year, according to Denuo, the industry association representing Belgium’s recycling sector. The call for action comes after a series of recent incidents, including a fire at the main site of metal recycler Galloo in Menen, near the Belgian-French border, on 19 August. A discarded lithium battery in a batch of electrical and electronic equipment is believed to have been the cause. This year, the figure has already reached 45. Incorrectly sorted lithium batteries are the main culprit, typically inside devices such as electric toothbrushes and toys but also end up mixed in with metal, paper, textiles or residual waste.
When batteries are damaged during collection or recycling, they can ignite with devastating consequences. The consequences for recyclers are significant, including halted production processes, workers put at risk, and unaffordable insurance premiums. It means recycling companies are left to bear the costs of the damage, even though they did not place the batteries on the market.
Denuo stresses that incorrectly sorted lithium batteries are the primary cause of these fires. The association is calling on collection organisations Recupel and Bebat to strengthen their existing collection systems. This could include an additional contribution for every battery placed on the market, with the funds paying for fire prevention, detection technology, and research.
A smarter return system for portable lithium batteries could also encourage consumers to dispose of them correctly. Denuo proposes that consumers should take removable batteries to a Bebat collection point, while waste electrical and electronic equipment whose battery cannot easily be removed can be taken to a Recupel collection point.
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Denuo says local and national governments must also act to curb the growing number of battery fires. They should enforce stricter requirements for the removability and clear labelling of batteries and, at European level, target products whose batteries are difficult or impossible to dispose of safely. The industry association believes that the circular economy can only operate safely if responsibility for a battery ends, not at the checkout, but when it has been safely collected and recycled.
The number of battery fires continues to rise. The consequences of inaction could be severe, not just for recycling companies but also for the environment and public safety. By working together, governments, collection organisations, and consumers can help reduce the risk of battery fires and create a safer, more sustainable recycling industry.
Denuo’s proposals include strengthening collection systems, implementing an additional contribution for every battery placed on the market, and promoting a smarter return system for portable lithium batteries. The association also stresses the importance of consumer responsibility, encouraging individuals to take removable batteries to designated collection points and to properly dispose of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
The situation in Belgium highlights the need for a better approach to battery recycling and disposal. As battery recycling becomes an increasingly important issue, it’s essential that governments, industries, and consumers work together to develop effective solutions. They can help mitigate the risks associated with battery fires and create a more sustainable future for the recycling industry by working together to improve steel policies and other initiatives.
