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Safe battery dumping points now available for customers

Safe battery dumping points now available for customers

The Recycle Namibia Forum (RNF) in partnership with Pick n Pay (PnP), VARTA Consumer Batteries Namibia, and the City of Windhoek last week officially placed bins for Windhoek residents to safely dispose of their household batteries.

Solid Waste Management Officer of City of Windhoek and coordinator of the campaign, Tunda Tjaverua, said this project is critical in the sense that batteries contain elements which are harmful to the environment.

RNF Coordinator, Anita Witt said that the provision of permanent collection points are available at PnP Auas Valley, PnP Eros and PnP Megacentre.

During the past year, it has become evident that residents of Windhoek are aware that disposing of batteries via normal household refuse could be damaging to the environment, but that no other solution or option was available on where to take these items for safe disposal.”

The RNF and the City of Windhoek earlier this year had a trial run at a local green market day which saw large volumes of batteries delivered at the event. This was an indication that there is a need for consumers to safely dispose of these items at designated points.

Given the number of enquiries, as well as support received during the first collection earlier this year, it was clear that the residents of Windhoek are keen to do the right thing.” Witt said, adding that the RNF was vocal in meeting the need of Windhoek residents by ensuring that systems are put in place for batteries to be safely disposed of in the now clearly marked collection bins.

It is not only creating the awareness of the 3 R’s of Reducing, Re-using and Recycling that is important, Witt said but also for the RNF to find ways to encourage minimizing waste sent to landfills and dumpsites, but also to find solutions for problem items, such as batteries in this instance.

Harald Bartsch from Vision Sales and Marketing, by supporting this project, VARTA Namibia has taken the lead to actively support the growing movement of Extended Producers Responsibility to assume responsibility for the correct treatment and disposal of post-consumer products.

Battery franchised sellers and producers are given a significant responsibility, monetary or otherwise for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products.

Meanwhile, O&L Environmental Manager, who is also the chairperson of the RNF, Gloudi de Beer called on the public for cooperation and support in making a success of this initiative.

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