Nigeria Hosts Conference On Africa’s Sustainable Battery Recycling
A two-day international conference has kicked off in Abuja, Nigeria, toward Africa’s journey for responsible lead-acid battery recycling.
The conference, held under the Partnership for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling (PROBAMET) project, brings together stakeholders from across the continent to discuss sustainable battery recycling practices.
Speaking during his welcome address, Director General/CEO of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor, stated that the gathering marks a significant milestone in the continent’s collective efforts to promote responsible and sustainable battery recycling practices, particularly under the Partnership for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling (PROBAMET) Project.
The PROBAMET project aims to enhance regulatory frameworks, build industry capacity, and facilitate collaboration among key stakeholders.
According to the Barikor, over the past year, the project has made significant strides in achieving these objectives through capacity-building programs held for recyclers, collectors, and regulatory bodies on international best practices in responsible ULAB management.
He added that another achievement was the comprehensive assessments of ULAB recycling facilities to identify gaps, enforce compliance with environmental standards, and promote environmentally sound management practices.
“Also, strengthening engagement between policymakers, industry stakeholders, and development partners to drive a unified and sustainable vision for battery recycling,” he said.
He noted that while lead-acid batteries are indispensable to various sectors, including telecommunications, energy storage, and transportation, their improper handling and informal recycling pose severe environmental and public health risks.
“Inadequate waste management practices have led to soil and water contamination, air pollution, and serious health consequences for workers and surrounding communities,” he said.
Barikor added that the conference presents an opportunity to deliberate on the future trajectory of lead-acid battery recycling in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
The two-day conference attracted participants from Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, and Cameroon, highlighting the importance of regional collaboration in addressing the challenges of battery waste management and recycling.
Nigeria Hosts Conference On Africa’s Sustainable Battery Recycling is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
