How many times have you changed your batteries that have reached the end of life?
How did you dispose them and have you ever bothered about the environmental and health risks posed by improper handling of these batteries during recycling due to their lead-acid content?
Well, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal at a 2-day International Conference in Abuja said the government recognises the neurological complications caused by Lead in used batteries and is committed to promoting Safe and sustainable battery recycling practices in Nigeria.
Used car batteries for instance contain a variety of chemicals including Lead, a highly toxic heavy metal which poses significant environmental and health risks when improperly handled during recycling.
As Africa experiences rapid economic growth and increasing demand for energy storage solutions, improper disposal and unsafe recycling of these batteries
particularly in informal recycling operations has been linked to severe neurological and cardiovascular complications especially among children and vulnerable populations.
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This international conference provides a platform to explore how countries across Africa can collaborate to strengthen regulatory frameworks, enhance technological advancements and promote environmentally sound management of used lead acid batteries across the continent.
The Partnership for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling (PROBAMET) Project is a key driver in the effort to foster partnership between government, industry and International organisations and building the capacity of recyclers towards the promotion of sustainable waste management.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
