The new draft Decision of Council of Ministers on "Batteries, Accumulators and their Wastes" ─ which is supposed to bring Albanian practice into line with the European Union ─ threatens to significantly reduce lead recovery rates from Lead Acid Batteries (LABs) and could increase the risk to public health and the environment.

This is one of the conclusions of an 18 months study carried out by the EDEN Center in Tirana which is being carried out during the project ‘Reducing the Risk to Public Health and Environment from Used Lead Acid Batteries in Albania' which was financially supported by EU Delegation in Albania within the CARDS 2006 program for ‘Partner State' - Support to the Albanian civil society organizations, which are engaged in the environment protection and environment education. The project was implemented by EDEN Centre Tirana, and its partner organization Powerful Information, London.

Extensive research into the trade in used LABs ─ over 200 workers and 400 drivers were interviewed in Tirana and Shkoder ─ indicates that the way batteries are collected and recycled is remarkably efficient, with 80% or more of lead recovered and recycled, however the current system should be improved to reduce the risk to workers and the environment.

In its current form the Government's draft Decision of Council of Ministers on ‘Batteries, Accumulators and their Wastes' will disqualify many small battery sellers, garages, street collectors and scrap yards from handling batteries. This in turn could lead to more used batteries being dumped or put illegally into waste bins and finding their way to landfill (which is opposite of that the legislation is intended to do).

The study argues that the main problem with the current collection system is that many who handle used LABs lack protective clothing and proper training, and some have a cavalier attitude to safety, and this is putting workers at risk from acid burns and toxic lead. 90% of the street collectors interviewed, and over half the scrap yard workers, did not take any special precautions when handling used batteries; and 40% of collectors and 22% of scrap yard workers reported having been injured by acid, and even batteries exploding. Soil in half of the collection points in Tirana tested during the study were found to be seriously contaminated with lead and is a potential threat to workers' health.

In the light of the findings, the EDEN Centre is carrying out a campaign to increase public awareness of the risks from used lead acid batteries. This is being implemented in Tirana and Shkoder, where the study was carried out, and asks the public to "Treat Batteries with respect and protect people and the environment!"

All these findings were shared with representatives of CSOs in Albania, of central and local government, heath institutions, students and media in the last event of the project "Used Lead Acid Batteries - a challenge for the environmental management in Albania". This press conference was held on 7th of June 2011 in the EU info centre premises in Tirana.

At the end of the conference participants had the opportunity to enjoy the photo exhibition "The reality of used lead batteries management in Albania" with pictures taken in all places where battery handlers operate.

Used LABs are considered as hazardous wastes mainly because of the lead. Countries have defined different schemes of collection with the main aim not to let them in open environment. Albania also has a collection scheme which gathers 90% of used LABs. This scheme is not taken into consideration while compiling the new draft legislation on waste management. EDEN suggests that the focus of the legislation should be not on defining new collection schemes but improving the existing one with more attention to the insurance and safety measures at work.

Ermelinda Mahmutaj
EDEN center