Battery Disposal & Take-Back of Waste Electrical Equipment
Important Information on the Disposal of Batteries and Rechargeable Batteries
Some devices delivered by us include batteries and/or rechargeable batteries (accumulators). As a distributor of batteries or devices containing batteries, we are legally obliged under the German Battery Act Implementation Act (BattDG) to inform you of the following:
Batteries must not be disposed of in household waste.
As an end user, you are legally obligated to return used batteries or rechargeable batteries so that they can be properly recycled or disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. Used batteries may contain harmful substances which—if not stored or disposed of correctly—can pose a risk to the environment or your health. At the same time, batteries contain valuable resources such as iron, zinc, manganese, or nickel that can be reused.
Where can I dispose of used batteries?
You can return used batteries that we currently stock or have stocked as new batteries free of charge at our dispatch warehouse: Leuchtenland.com GmbH, Wierlings Hook 4, 48249 Dülmen, Germany.
Alternatively, you may return them—free of charge—to local collection points or public waste collection facilities in your area. Important: When disposing of lithium batteries, please tape the terminals to avoid short circuits.
What do the symbols on batteries mean?
The symbols printed on batteries have the following meaning:
The crossed-out wheeled bin symbol indicates that the battery must not be disposed of with regular household waste.
If a battery contains more than a certain amount of heavy metals, you will also see the following abbreviations underneath the crossed-out bin:
Pb: Battery contains more than 0.004% lead by weight.
Cd: Battery contains more than 0.002% cadmium by weight.
Hg: Battery contains more than 0.0005% mercury by weight.
These notices are also provided in the accompanying documents of your shipment or in the manufacturer’s instruction manuals.
For further details, please refer to the German Battery Act Implementation Act (BattDG) in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 concerning batteries and waste batteries.
Comprehensive information on the collection and recycling of used batteries as well as the associated costs under Article 56(4) of the EU Battery Regulation (Regulation 2023/1542) can be found at the “Batterie-Zurück” Initiative.
Please observe the above guidance carefully.
Information on the Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
What does the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol mean?
What is the purpose of the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act?
What should you consider before returning old equipment?
How can you return waste electrical equipment?
How does the return process work at Leuchtenland.com?
Too valuable for waste and too hazardous for disposal: Leuchtenland.com ensures the environmentally responsible disposal of your waste electrical equipment.
Old electrical and electronic devices are too valuable to be discarded as waste, and some contain hazardous substances that must not be disposed of with household waste. For this reason, as a consumer, you are obliged under the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (“Act Governing the Sale, Return and Environmentally Sound Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment” – ElektroG) to dispose of your old devices properly.
What does the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol mean?
All electrical equipment intended for use in private households is marked with the symbol of a crossed-out wheeled bin. This symbol, in accordance with Annex 3 of the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, indicates that such equipment must be collected separately from unsorted municipal waste.
Owners of waste equipment are required to dispose of it separately from general household waste. Waste electrical equipment must not be disposed of with household waste.
What is the purpose of the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act?
Proper disposal, recycling and reuse: the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act regulates how collected devices must be handled. They must be collected and transported in such a way that no hazardous substances are released during transport. Certified recycling and disposal companies process these devices, neutralise harmful substances and recover valuable raw materials through complex procedures. These materials are then reintroduced into the production cycle as secondary raw materials.
For suitable devices, the law also requires an assessment of whether reuse is possible. Ideally, old devices can be refurbished and reused. In particular, second-hand smartphones, PCs and laptops may be suitable for a second or even third life. Proper collection and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment therefore protect the environment and climate while conserving increasingly scarce natural resources.
What should you consider before returning an old device?
1.) Batteries and accumulators that are not enclosed within the device, as well as lamps that can be removed without damage, must be separated from the device before it is handed in.
2.) Lithium batteries may catch fire or explode if handled improperly. Please handle lithium batteries with care. Avoid mechanical damage, impacts or shocks. After removal, insulate the terminals by taping them. Damaged, deformed, swollen or leaking lithium batteries must be returned separately in an appropriate transport container.
3.) If your device contains data storage, please back up all data to an external medium and permanently delete it from the device before disposal. The consumer is solely responsible for deleting all personal data, such as messages, photos, music, etc., before returning the device.
4.) Please also note: Returned waste equipment cannot be returned to you. The device will be processed in accordance with the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act. No refund of the purchase price or residual value will be provided.
How can you return waste electrical or electronic equipment?
Since 25 July 2016, retailers of electrical and electronic equipment in Germany are legally required to accept waste equipment from end users free of charge. This applies to all retailers with a retail space (brick-and-mortar) or storage and shipping area (distance selling) of at least 400 m².
The following legal provisions apply: Large devices (edge length over 25 cm) must only be accepted if a similar new product is purchased (1:1 take-back). This means the old and new devices must belong to the same category and perform essentially the same functions. Small devices (no dimension greater than 25 cm) must be accepted even if no new purchase is made (0:1 take-back). The return is limited to three devices per device type.
For private households, waste equipment can also be returned to municipal collection points, such as recycling centres or hazardous waste collection services. In some municipalities, collection of bulky waste can be requested, or small devices can be disposed of in designated public collection containers.
Please note that the take-back system described here applies only within Germany. An overview of device categories can be found at: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/elektrog_2015/anlage_1.html.
How does the return process work at Leuchtenland.com?
Disposal of large devices in connection with a new purchase
When purchasing a new electrical or electronic product in our online shop, you can return a similar old device to us free of charge. A device is considered similar if it belongs to the same product category and performs essentially the same function.
How it works:
1.) Place your order as usual. During checkout, indicate that you would like to return a similar old device and add this as a free service.
2.) Our customer service team will contact you to arrange the return. If your old device meets the requirements, we will provide a prepaid return label. Once returned, we will ensure the proper disposal of your device.
Please ensure that the device is dismantled and ready for collection, securely packaged.
If you have any questions regarding the process or conditions, our customer service team will be happy to assist you.
Disposal of small devices
Smaller electrical and electronic devices (no dimension exceeding 25 cm) can be returned at any time, regardless of a new purchase. To do so, simply register your return via our partner WEEE Return, who will ensure environmentally friendly recycling.
You can register your return using the following link. There, you can find the nearest collection point or arrange shipment of your device:
Please note that, in accordance with legal requirements, the return of small devices without a new purchase is limited to a maximum of three devices per return process.