Dispose of your Old Cell Phone Batteries Properly

November 20, 2007

The DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) in partnership with major mobile phone manufacturers and mobile network service providers has launched a campaign on proper e-waste management, particularly the proper disposal of used, defective cell phone batteries and chargers. Twenty collection bins in three designated areas have been put up as drop-off points for discarded cell phones and parts. These bins may be found in strategic locations inside the Glorietta Mall in Makati, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong, and Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan.

Cell phone batteries are just one example of electronic waste or e-waste. With over 2 billion mobile users in the planet today, the disposal of broken cell phones and parts has become an environmental concern. Their components are made from non-biodegradable materials. Furthermore, modern cell phones are using lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are relatively safe but when overcharged, punctured, heated or incinerated, they could explode as the lithium oxide in the battery gets converted to its metal form (in the case of overcharging and heating).

The campaign's collected batteries and parts will then be collected by HMR Envirocycle Philippines for recycling. Metals from lithium-ion batteries such as cobalt, nickel, copper and iron are all recyclable.

Let's support this program. Dispose of your cell phone parts and batteries properly.

Kudos to DENR for this wonderful project. But why cell phone batteries only? Why not include all sorts of batteries in this project?