German Ministry for Environment Urges Handling of Disposables

According to Recyclingmagazin, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BDE) and the Ministry of Consumer Protection have recently released a draft amendment to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG), which includes regulations for the disposal of disposable e-cigarettes.

The department head, Andreas Bruckschen, stated that the latest e-waste disposal proposal has some positive guiding clauses, however, the low recycling rate of electronic waste and the frequent battery fires in the waste management industry require a comprehensive and thorough revision of regulations for new electronic devices, rather than the minimal intervention envisioned by the environmental department.

However, BDE expressed disappointment with the regulations for the recycling of disposable e-cigarettes. The regulation, starting in mid-2026, requires all sales points to accept the recycling of disposable e-cigarettes. A more consistent approach would be to completely ban disposable e-cigarettes. BDE and the German Federal Committee have previously urged the federal government to work towards banning e-cigarettes. In addition, German Environment Minister Lemke called for the implementation of relevant bans at the EU level last year. Unlike Belgium, which has already decided to ban disposable e-cigarettes starting in 2025, creating pressure for action at the European level, Germany has not made a similar national decision.

Brookshen stated, "The issue in this field is still quite large, so it is necessary now to look for large solutions. The department has repeatedly promised to promote the accountability of product manufacturers, but in the current draft, we can hardly see such efforts."