In a bid to address the environmental and health challenges posed by used lead acid batteries (ULAB), stakeholders and experts from various institutions, including recycling plants, gathered in Dar es Salaam for a five-day workshop days.

The event which started yesterday aims to discuss strategies to improve battery management and recycling. It is organized by the Agenda for the Environment and Responsible Development (AGENDA) in collaboration with the Öko Institut, the German Development Agency (GIZ) and the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC).

Opening the workshop, Hamad Taimuru, Acting Director General of NEMC, warned that poor management of used batteries poses serious environmental risks due to the toxic lead they contain.

He acknowledged that some batteries contain hazardous materials, such as mercury, lead and cadmium which, if not disposed of properly, can cause significant harm to health and the environment.

“Lead-acid batteries, commonly used in Tanzania’s automotive and industrial sectors, are essential for powering vehicles and supporting solar initiatives in rural areas,” he said.

However, when batteries reach the end of their life, they can become hazardous waste.

He further said that the workshop aims to address current compliance issues related to the Environmental Management Act and Hazardous Waste Control and Management Regulations.

“Despite existing regulations requiring environmental impact assessments and permits for handling ULAB, informal collection and illegal exports remain rampant, undermining local recycling efforts and increasing imports,” he said.

To combat these issues, the NEMC official called for closer collaboration among stakeholders.

He urged the creation of public awareness campaigns and the formalization of the informal sector to ensure proper management of ULAB.

“Creating incentives for local recycling industries and developing a national ULAB database will help us understand and manage the volume of batteries in the country,” he said.

As participants engage in discussions and share expertise over the coming days, Taimuru expressed hope that concrete solutions will emerge, contributing to a safer and more sustainable future for Tanzania.

He said NEMC was committed to implementing the recommendations from the workshop, thereby strengthening the country’s efforts to protect the environment and public health.

Dora Swai, senior program manager at AGENDA, said the workshop marked a crucial step in efforts to improve waste management practices, ensuring that the country can effectively address the challenges posed by used lead-acid batteries while by protecting the health of its citizens.

She noted that lead is a toxic metal residue used for many purposes and visibly present in a variety of consumer products such as paint, ceramic glazes, solder, ammunition as well as some traditional medicines and cosmetics, a- she declared.

The workshop was carried out as part of the international lead poisoning prevention week which takes place each year, during the third week of October, a week of action intended to raise awareness of the health effects of exposure to lead poisoning. lead, she said.

Andreas Manhart, Senior Researcher at the Sustainable Products and Material Flows Division of the Öko-Institut, a European research consultancy, offered valuable insights into emerging trends, best practices and lessons learned from various regions of the world grappling with comparable waste management challenges.

Henry Kazula, coordinator of the Tanzania Recyclers Association (TARA), says most used batteries are thrown away haphazardly, harming the environment and human beings, instead of being delivered to proper recycling companies.

He noted that many people do not know where to dispose of used car batteries, requiring more awareness campaigns.

He said TARA has always emphasized the importance of proper collection and recycling of products, reminding businesses to adhere to current regulations on how to handle products.