Disposal

Batteries

Many devices are supplied with batteries, for example to power remote controls, clocks, etc. Batteries or rechargeable batteries may also be permanently built into the devices themselves. In connection with the sale of these batteries or rechargeable batteries, we are obliged under the German Battery Act (BattG) to inform you of the following:

Batteries and rechargeable batteries do not belong in household waste and must not be disposed of in this way. As an end user, you are legally obliged to return used batteries so that they can be disposed of properly. You can either send your used batteries back to us with sufficient postage or hand them in free of charge directly at our warehouse at the following address:

Connox logistics centre
Krauss-Maffei-Straße 3
30880 Laatzen (Hannover)

Our take-back obligation applies exclusively to used batteries that we stock or have stocked as new batteries in our range. Batteries are marked with the symbol of a "crossed-out wheelie bin" (similar to the illustration below, among others). For batteries containing more than 0.0005% mercury, more than 0.002% cadmium or more than 0.004% lead by mass, the chemical symbol of the pollutant used is shown below the bin symbol – "Cd" stands for cadmium, "Pb" for lead and "Hg" for mercury.

Note on lithium batteries and rechargeable batteries: when returning lithium batteries or rechargeable batteries, please insulate the contact surfaces marked + and -, for example with adhesive tape, to avoid any risk of fire.

Old appliances and electronic waste

Under the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG), old appliances may no longer be disposed of in household waste as of March 2006. This applies to all electronic and electrical devices, regardless of their age. It also includes light bulbs, fluorescent tubes and energy-saving lamps. You can recognise these devices by the symbol of a "crossed-out wheelie bin" (similar to the illustration below). The symbol is shown on the device or its packaging. Cities and local authorities, for example, take these devices back free of charge. They can be returned at collection points, and in some cases collection from your home is even offered. As a rule, existing collection systems (e.g. recycling centres) are used.

Information for private households in accordance with Section 18 ElektroG

1. In accordance with Section 17 ElektroG, we are obliged, under the conditions set out there, to take back old electrical and electronic equipment free of charge. We meet this legal obligation via the online portal elektroretoure24. You can find detailed information on the exact scope of our take-back obligations and the options we provide for returning old appliances via the following links:

https://www.elektroretoure24.de/connox

https://www.elektroretoure24.de/connox#ruecknahmeinformation

2. We would like to inform all owners of old electrical and electronic equipment that they are legally obliged to take these devices to a collection point separate from unsorted municipal waste. In particular, disposing of old electrical and electronic equipment in the residual waste bin or the yellow recycling bin is prohibited. The symbol of a crossed-out wheelie bin shown below, which appears on electrical and electronic equipment, also indicates the obligation to collect it separately:

3. We would like to inform all owners of old electrical and electronic equipment that they are legally obliged to remove used batteries and rechargeable batteries from these appliances before handing them in, provided these are not enclosed by the appliance. We would also like to inform all end users of old electrical and electronic equipment that they are responsible for deleting any personal data on the appliances to be disposed of.

FAQ – Elektroretoure24

What to do if a lamp breaks

Energy-saving lamps (compact fluorescent lamps), fluorescent tubes and metal halide lamps contain a very small amount of mercury. With normal use, however, these lamps are not dangerous. If a lamp of this kind breaks, please proceed as follows:

• Disconnect the lamp from the mains.
• Avoid skin contact and air the room for 20–30 minutes.
• Wear disposable or household gloves to remove the broken glass. Collect all parts of the lamp, preferably by sweeping them up. Use a damp disposable paper towel to pick up small pieces and dust. On carpets, use a vacuum cleaner and then dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag.
• Collect the broken glass and lamp remains in a sealable container (e.g. a screw-top jar or plastic bag). Dispose of the sealed container at a local waste disposal point.

How to prevent lamps from breaking

• Only change the bulb once it has cooled down completely.
• Always hold the bulb by its base, never by the glass bulb or glass tubes.
• Only take new lamps out of their packaging immediately before screwing them in or using them.
• Store bulbs in a secure container or suitable packaging, protected from breakage, until you use or dispose of them.

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