HISTORY

The improper disposal of Lead-acid batteries, however, can overshadow the benefits they provide. Lead may be harmful if induced, being a main cause of nervous system disorders and circulatory damages. Sulfuric acid from dead batteries still constitute a danger to people and the environment. If allowed to spill on the ground, Sulfuric acid can cause the infertility of the soil. 200,000 Lead-acid batteries are disposed of in Metro Manila every month, but only 60% of these are properly recycled, 20% end up in what has been termed as “informal smelters” and the remaining 20% are irresponsibly discarded in backyards and open dumpsites. To curb the possible threat these statistics pose, in October 2000, Bantay Kalikasan in partnership with the Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR and the Philippine Recyclers Inc., created the Bantay Baterya project – an advocacy and media campaign to inform the public about the dangers of improper battery disposal, and also a collection unit for the unaccounted for numbers.