Brussels, 20 May 2025
Fires caused by misplaced lithium batteries are a growing and serious threat to Europe’s waste management infrastructure, workers, and circular economy goals. On May 20, 2025, EXPRA joined a broad coalition of waste management, EPR organizations, and public service unions to issue a joint call to the European Commission for urgent regulatory action.
The statistics are alarming: from Austria to the UK, fire incidents linked to lithium batteries in waste facilities and collection vehicles are surging, causing significant economic losses, health and safety risks for workers and communities, and making insurance increasingly difficult to obtain for waste operators. These fires are often sparked by single batteries discarded in general waste streams, highlighting a critical awareness gap among consumers and the inherent challenges of sorting facilities.
While existing initiatives are a step in the right direction, they simply aren’t enough. Our joint call proposes crucial measures to address this escalating problem:
- Establish a Battery Fire Prevention and Recovery Fund: This fund, financed by EPR schemes for batteries and WEEE, would support investments in fire prevention technology, improved sorting infrastructure, and compensation for affected facilities. It would also help bridge the insurance gap and fund awareness campaigns.
- Implement a Deposit Return System (DRS) for Portable Lithium Batteries: A DRS would incentivize proper disposal, ensuring valuable raw materials are captured and reducing the number of misplaced batteries that pose a fire risk.
- Ban Disposable Products with Batteries: Products like single-use e-cigarettes and textiles with unnecessary embedded batteries should be removed from the EU market, as they significantly contribute to the fire hazard.
EXPRA stands with its partners in urging the European Commission to act decisively. Protecting our waste management infrastructure and achieving a truly circular economy depends on immediate and effective measures to tackle this escalating threat.
CEWEP (Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants); EPRO (circular plastic association); EPSU (European Federation of Public Service Unions); EuRIC (Europe’s recycling industries); EXPRA (Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance); FEAD (European Waste Management Association); FERVER (European federation representing glass recycling companies); Municipal Waste Europe (European Umbrella Association for Public Waste Management)