NESREA partners CSOs, media to advance used battery recycling regulations

From Idu Jude, Abuja

To mitigate the environmental and health hazards associated with used batteries, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is set to join forces with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the media. The initiative aims to ensure the successful implementation of new regulations designed to manage battery recycling and disposal more effectively.

During a recent meeting in Abuja, Dr. Innocent Barikor, Director General of NESREA, emphasised the critical role of CSOs and the media in overseeing and supporting the new battery recycling regulations. The meeting, titled “The Role of Media and CSOs in the Implementation of the Regulation,” was held to equip participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to advocate for and monitor the enforcement of these regulations.

Dr. Barikor explained that batteries are widely used across various sectors including renewable energy, construction, telecommunications, and automotive industries—each essential to Nigeria’s economic progress. However, improper handling and disposal of these batteries pose severe risks to the environment and public health, particularly when managed by the informal sector without proper regulation.

In response to these challenges, NESREA has introduced the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations, 2024. This comprehensive regulatory framework is designed to address the issues of informal recycling and unregulated disposal practices. Dr. Barikor noted that the new regulations aim to formalize the battery recycling industry, promote safe disposal methods, and minimize environmental pollution.

Central to the regulations is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. This program requires producers, collectors, and recyclers to collaborate with the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), specifically the Alliance for Responsible Battery Recycling (ARBR). The EPR program ensures that all stakeholders are involved in the environmentally sound collection, transportation, storage, and recycling of used batteries.

Dr. Barikor urged all stakeholders to actively support the implementation of these regulations, highlighting that the success of this initiative depends on effective collaboration across the battery waste value chain.

Mrs. Miranda Amachree, Executive Secretary of ARBR, highlighted the importance of environmental regulations for protecting public health and the environment. She pointed out that while the battery policy was approved in 2022, the recent launch of the regulations provides NESREA with the necessary authority to enforce compliance. Amachree emphasized that all participants in the battery sector—including manufacturers, importers, distributors, and recyclers—must share the responsibility for managing waste batteries.

Mr. Donald Ikenna Ofoegbu, Program Manager at Heinrich Boll Stiftung, stressed the vital role of the media in advancing the new regulations. He advocated for media engagement to raise awareness about the environmental damage caused by hazardous chemicals in used batteries, such as lead and mercury. Ofoegbu underscored the need for increased public knowledge about these chemicals, which can contaminate water sources and soil, posing serious health risks.