What changes could have the biggest impact? Read our selection for February 2025:
Batteries: huge potential for recycling in Europe
Austria: new deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans
Batteries: huge potential for recycling in Europe
A recent report by Transport & Environment (T&E) explores the significant potential for battery recycling to reduce Europe’s reliance on raw materials and advance a sustainable circular economy.
The analysis, published in December 2024, highlights how recycling metals like lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese could contribute to Europe’s electric vehicle (EV) market.
By 2030, Europe could recycle 105,000 tonnes of battery materials, helping to produce up to 1.3 to 2.4 million electric cars. This could make up 14-25% of Europe’s projected EV sales. If recycling technologies keep improving, Europe could rely on recycled materials for up to 95% of the metals needed by 2040.
However, reaching these recycling goals requires improved technology and facilities. The EU Battery Regulation sets targets to recover 6% of lithium by 2031, increasing to 12% by 2036. The study suggests that advances in recycling could help to exceed these targets, potentially recovering 90% of lithium and 95% of cobalt by 2031.
This would bring benefits for raw materials and the environment. By 2030, recycling could save Europe from mining 9.7 million tonnes of ores, reducing environmental damage. Recycling lithium alone results in 19% less CO₂ than mining new lithium.
There are, however, challenges in scaling up recycling in Europe, such as high energy costs and fierce competition from Asia.
To address these challenges, T&E recommends strong policy support, particularly under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which aims for a 25% recycling rate by 2030.
The organisation also calls for policies that keep end-of-life batteries within Europe, by classifying them as hazardous waste to limit exports.
Financial support programmes like the EU Innovation Fund and InvestEU can help bridge technological gaps and accelerate the development of new recycling methods.
Austria: new deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans
On 1 January 2025, a new deposit return scheme (DRS) for single-use drink containers made from plastic and metal took effect in Austria. In principle, the system applies to all types of beverages, and consumers will need to pay a 0.25 EUR deposit on marked bottles and cans. Milk containers, milk-based beverages, syrups and medicines are excluded from the scope of the DRS.
The Federal Ministry for Climate Action’s Regulation, adopted in 2023, establishes the legal requirements of the new system. The goal is to increase the recycling rate – currently 70% for PET bottles and 80% for aluminum cans – to recycle approximately 2.2 billion bottles and cans per year.
Recycling Pfand Austria, the central body responsible for implementing the new deposit regulation, has launched an information campaign aimed at citizens, to support the achievement of these ambitious targets.
Companies have been granted a transition period until 31 March 2025, allowing them to produce drinks in packaging without logos until they exhaust stocks.
Recycling Pfand Austria aims to collect and manage 90% of all PET bottles and cans by 2027.
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