Austria faces rising fire risk from mis‑disposed lithium batteries

A study by the Montan University of Leoben shows that the amount of lithium batteries placed in residual waste in Austria has quadrupled over the past ten years. Researchers estimate that around 17 million batteries are wrongly discarded each year, averaging eight batteries per tonne of waste – roughly 70 per collection vehicle – creating a "ticking time bomb" for fires.

The waste‑management sector has recorded 36 larger fire incidents in the past year, including three in Carinthia, as damaged batteries can ignite during compression or processing. Horst Niederbichler, managing director of Saubermacher Villach, warned that mechanical stress or sorting can cause short‑circuits and sparks, igniting nearby combustible material.

Experts and the Austrian Waste Management Association are calling for stricter rules, better public education and a deposit‑return scheme that would reward correct battery disposal, aiming to raise collection rates and reduce fire hazards.