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Gefährlicher Abfall
In brief
Hazardous waste is waste that, because of its properties, can pose a particular danger to people or the environment and is therefore marked with an asterisk in the German Waste Catalogue Ordinance (AVV). Stricter obligations apply to it for collection, transport, documentation and treatment. Waste electrical equipment containing hazardous components, such as certain batteries, can also be included.
When is waste hazardous?
The German Circular Economy Act defines hazardous waste in § 3 (5) KrWG as the waste designated as hazardous by statutory ordinance. This ordinance is the AVV. It assigns a six-digit Waste code to each waste. An asterisk after the code stands for "hazardous". Decisive are hazard-relevant properties such as flammable, toxic or ecotoxic.
| Waste code | Designation (simplified) |
|---|---|
| 16 02 13* | used devices containing hazardous components |
| 16 02 14 | Used devices without hazardous components |
| 20 01 35* | used electrical and electronic devices with hazardous components (municipal waste) |
More on the classification of IT in the entry Waste codes 16 02 14 and 16 02 13*.
Which obligations apply?
Hazardous waste generally must not be mixed with other waste. Special documentation and register obligations under the Nachweisverordnung apply to it, which are often met electronically via the eANV . For waste electrical equipment, the ElektroG contains partly its own rules. This entry does not replace legal advice.
Second IT is a certified waste management company under § 56 KrWG. Safety-critical materials such as batteries are disposed of properly and hazardous components are separated. More on the IT disposal under the German Circular Economy Act.
Frequently asked questions about hazardous waste
Are old notebooks hazardous waste?
That depends on the components. Old devices with hazardous components are classified with an asterisk code. The exact classification is usually made by the certified waste management company.
What does the asterisk in the waste code mean?
It marks hazardous waste under the AVV. Stricter documentation, transport and treatment obligations apply to this waste.
What to do with damaged lithium batteries?
Store them separately, do not charge them and coordinate transport with the disposal company. Damaged batteries are a fire risk and are subject to special dangerous goods rules during transport.
May hazardous waste be mixed with other waste?
Generally not. Hazardous waste must be kept separate. Special documentation and register obligations under the Nachweisverordnung apply to it, which are often met electronically via the eANV.
What is the difference between 16 02 13* and 16 02 14?
16 02 13* stands for used devices with hazardous components, 16 02 14 for devices without hazardous components. The asterisk marks hazardous waste under the AVV. Which code applies depends on the components of the device.
Proper disposal with documentation for your ESG reporting.
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