THE Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) has urged the environment department to issue a department administrative order that would compel entities to recycle used lead acid batteries (ULAB), noting its harm to the environment.
The FPI said it had already submitted a position paper to Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga regarding the implementation of extended producer responsibility on ULABs – mostly used in motorized vehicles – as well as other toxic wastes.
Used lead acid batteries are classified as hazardous wastes under the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990 and as a special waste under the implementing rules and regulations of EPR Act of 2022.
EPR is important on used lead acid batteries, the business group said, as recycling this would require “technical know-how and state-of-the-art facilities that only accredited private recyclers may have,” based on the statement.
“We believe that compared to ordinary waste types like plastics currently covered by the EPR implementing rules, ULABs should be treated with more urgency because of their immediate harmful effects on the environment and the people,” FPI chairman Dr. Jesus Arranza said.
The order does not only aim to regulate entities that produce, import, and sell lead acid batteries, according to FPI. It also sought to help in the recovery and recycling of ULABs with regards to Philippine laws such as Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and the EPR Act of 2022.
“Simply put, we are calling on the DENR to strictly enforce the proper collection and recycling of ULABs by making sure entities engaged in the production, importation, and sale of brand new lead acid batteries will not be able to market their products in the country unless they have satisfactorily proven that they have collected their ULABs and channeled them to accredited recyclers,” he added.
“As much as possible, we are pushing for 1 to 1. This means that, as an example, an entity that managed to collect 1,000 ULABs should only be allowed to sell 1,000 brand new batteries as well,” he said.
The FPI chairman said they are open to a phased implementation on this, starting at 20 percent in the first year, 50 percent in the second year, and 80 percent in the third year.
The move will also solve, FPI said, the alleged rise of illegal lead smelters which cause harm to the environment and the community. (ABS-CBN News)
