EU wants to make phone battery easier to replace by 2024
The European Union is looking for ways to make consumer electronics batteries recyclable. As a result, phone manufacturers must find an alternative to glued-on batteries to reduce the environmental impact. This is evident from a bill.
Recyclable batteries
The European Parliament spoke on Wednesday about ways to make consumer electronics batteries more recyclable. Parliament wants batteries to consist of 70 percent collectible materials by 2025. As a result, a new bill states that the batteries of smartphones should be easier to replace from 2024.
In recent years, many manufacturers have opted for a strong layer of glue to fix the batteries of telephones. One of the disadvantages of this is that a battery cannot be easily replaced by the consumer. For example, they are also more likely to simply exchange a smartphone with only a worn battery for a newer one, instead of replacing the battery.
New methods for manufacturers
If the bill is passed in parliament, manufacturers will have to come up with other mounting methods if they want to continue to sell phones in the EU. One possibility is batteries that you can reach via a completely exchangeable back, just as was often done with the first smartphones. Although brands could also use a fixed back in combination with clips that release the battery when you pull it.
Furthermore, according to the bill, manufacturers must also provide spare parts for longer. The stricter requirements for recyclable materials for batteries also apply to other electronic devices. For example: tablets, wireless headphones and electronic scooters. For each category, there will be adjusted targets for the use of materials in batteries.
Last year, the Androidworld editors spent a week working on the theme of ‘Sustainability and telephones’. You can find all our articles with explanations and tips here.
