Take-back of e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters in shops: pilot project tests new system to improve safety and promote a circular economy
Philip Morris GmbH, the GRS Batterien Foundation and GRS Service GmbH are launching the ‘LiLA II’ initiative in the Greater Munich area – scientific support from bifa Umweltinstitut GmbH is laying the groundwork for potential nationwide solutions
New take-back obligations for e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters have been in force since 1 July 2026. These are a prime example of a growing challenge: more and more small electrical appliances with built-in lithium batteries – such as electronic greeting cards, headphones, flashing promotional items or other products containing built-in button cells – are becoming part of everyday life, yet are often not disposed of properly. Incorrectly disposed-of devices pose a growing safety risk.
Through the “LiLA II” pilot project, Philip Morris Germany, the GRS Batterien Foundation and GRS Service GmbH are now testing a new take-back system for retailers in the Greater Munich area. The aim is to trial a practical take-back system in the retail sector and thereby specifically advance the circular economy for e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters.
In doing so, the partners are sending a clear signal in favour of greater safety when handling small electrical appliances with built-in lithium batteries, and for effective take-back and recycling structures. The close collaboration between industry, proven battery expertise and scientific support lays the foundation for a holistic, practical approach.
As part of the twelve-month pilot project, a specific collection and take-back system for e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters will be tested at selected retail outlets. The focus is on practical feasibility, acceptance by retailers and consumers, and the further development of existing structures with a view to potential nationwide roll-out.
A key component of the project is the accompanying communication: retailers and consumers are provided with clear and comprehensible information on how and where devices can be returned. Particularly in view of the continuing high rates of incorrect disposal, clear and visible communication is crucial to increasing the actual use of the take-back systems and reducing incorrect disposal.
Highlighting the importance of practical take-back systems for manufacturers and retailers, Dr Julia Hobohm, Managing Director of GRS Service GmbH, explains the project’s objectives: “Against the backdrop of rising volumes of products containing lithium batteries, the safe collection of small electrical appliances is becoming increasingly important. With our LiLA collection system, a sustainable solution is being tested and further developed in the Munich area. We are delighted that Philip Morris GmbH and its retail partners are on board. This is the only way that genuine producer responsibility can work!”
Speaking on behalf of the GRS Batterien Foundation, Georgios Chryssos, Chairman of the GRS Batterien Foundation, assesses the experience gained so far from the LiLA projects and the importance of consumer-friendly take-back schemes: “We have already been trialling the LiLA collection system for a year at selected recycling centres in Bavaria, and it has been very well received by the public. Now we want to bring the take-back system even closer to consumers. From our experience and research, we know that a low-threshold return option in retail outlets is the key to a successful EPR system.”
Torsten Albig, Director of External Affairs Germany at Philip Morris Germany, also emphasises the importance of collaborative partnership: “We take our producer responsibility very seriously, going beyond our regulatory obligations. With this pilot project, we are laying the foundations for a system that is scalable in the long term and can make a genuine contribution to the circular economy. Launching the pilot in Bavaria is a deliberate choice: this is where our German headquarters are located, and we are taking responsibility locally. The collaboration with experienced partners such as the GRS Batterien Foundation, GRS Service GmbH and the bifa Environmental Institute is particularly valuable for this project. Together, we bring different perspectives and expertise to the table – from operational implementation to scientific monitoring.”
In addition to practical testing, the bifa Environmental Institute is collecting reliable data on collection volumes, as well as on the composition and condition of the returned devices. The results are regularly analysed and published in an appropriate format. They form the basis for the further development of the system and a possible expansion to additional collection points – for example, in the catering sector or at universities.
In addition, a project advisory board comprising external third parties is currently being established; these parties possess proven expertise in the field of sustainability and will provide technical guidance for the pilot project as well as regularly reviewing the findings.
The pilot project builds on the findings of earlier LiLA initiatives, which had already investigated collection and recycling routes for small electrical appliances with built-in lithium batteries, and is now systematically translating these into practical application within the retail sector.
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