Used Lead Acid Battery and Waste Oil Recycling Programs
The Department of the Environment (DOE) is hereby reminding the General Public of its ongoing Used Lead Acid Battery Recycling Program and Waste Oil Recycling Program, both aimed at pollution prevention and meeting Belize’s obligations under the Basel Convention of the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal.
The Hazardous Waste Regulations, 2009 classifies used lead acid batteries (ULAB) and waste/used oils as hazardous waste in accordance with the Basel Convention. To assist the general public in the environmentally sound management of these waste, the DOE implements a ULAB and waste/used oil recycling program to ensure the environmentally sound management of these waste streams. To assist small scale generators of waste/used oil, the DOE undertakes a waste oil collection program for subsequent recycling and final disposal. A major source of pollution from waste/used oils is from spills due to improper storage.
To assist small scale generators of waste/used oil, the DOE has developed building plans for the construction of a proper waste/used oil storage facility and constructed one such facility located at the Forest Department compound in Belmopan. This plan can be obtained from the DOE free of charge and the storage facility can be viewed by the general public upon request to the DOE.
In addition, through the ULAB recycling program, the DOE has developed technical guidelines for the overall management of ULAB and is currently engaging with authorized entities to promote the recycling of ULAB. For further information on approved entities by the DOE for the recycling of ULAB and waste/used oil recycling or if interested in becoming a collector, transporter, or exporter of hazardous waste, please contact the DOE to obtain the necessary permits/approvals.
The General Public is hereby remined that no person/entity should engage in the collection, transportation, storage, and/or exportation of hazardous waste without prior obtaining the relevant permits/approval from the DOE. In addition, generators of hazardous waste are required to keep adequate records of the dates, types and amounts of hazardous waste generated and the date and locations where such waste are shipped for disposal. Failure to comply is a violation of Regulation 23 (2) of the Hazardous Waste Regulation, 2009 and upon summary conviction can be fined not less than twenty-five thousand dollars.
For further information, kindly contact:
Chief Environmental Officer
Department of the Environment
Market Square Belmopan City
Tel: 822-2548 or 828-4851
Email: enforcement@environment.gov.bz