Motolite, the country’s most-trusted battery brand, has partnered with the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) to help ensure that used lead acid batteries (ULAB) are disposed of and recycled properly.
In the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by Motolite and FPI on April 19, the parties committed to work together in the promotion and implementation of Motolite’s BALIK BATERYA PROGRAM in order to further clean up the environment of pollution-causing ULABs while also raising funds for FPI’s projects and advocacies.
The MOA was signed by FPI Chairman Dr. Jesus L. Arranza and Oriental & Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC) Marketing Head Alexander M. Osias.
Under the agreement, FPI will promote the Balik Baterya Program to its members and other interested organizations, as well as sell collected ULABs from its members and partner organizations to OMMC for recycling based on the prevailing market buying price.
Motolite, on the other hand, will provide and/or arrange for the pick-up of ULABs from FPI and/or its donors, then promptly remit to FPI the cash value of the collected ULABs. The company will also take care of the storage, handling, transport, and recycling of the ULABs through its accredited recycler, Evergreen Environmental Resources Inc. (EERI).
EERI operates a state-of-the-art facility in Sta. Maria, Bulacan that can recycle 10 million batteries annually. EERI can recover around 99 percent of the components of ULABs for recycling. With EERI serving as the third-party recycler of market leader Motolite and its manufacturer Philippine Batteries Inc. (PBI), the country is assured of a sustainable source of lead-acid batteries via the so-called “urban mining”.
Arranza said Motolite and FPI, through their Balik Baterya partnership, seek to ensure used car batteries are not ending up in landfills or rivers and creeks, particularly since ULABs are considered hazardous wastes.
“We are, thus, calling on all our members and partner organizations to support us in this advocacy by making sure their old batteries are going to a reputable recycler like EERI. This, in itself, is already a good way to show we truly care for the environment,” Arranza said.
Motolite has also been actively encouraging its customers to trade in their ULABs for a discount when they buy new batteries. Motolite brings all these used batteries to EERI for recycling. The lead, plastic pellets, and other recycled materials produced by EERI are then channeled back to the production facility of PBI in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
EERI, certified by the Board of Investments as a pioneer in technology in the Philippines, continues to invest a lot in equipment upgrades and R&D to make sure the facility is constantly improving its recycling methods and adhering to international standards. Aside from meeting the stringent requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, EERI has ISO 14001:2015, 9001:2015, and 50001 certifications.
ISO 14001 is the international standard for an effective environmental management system, while ISO 9001 specifies the requirements for a quality management system. ISO 50001, or the Energy Management System, is the international standard that ensures continual improvement in energy performance aimed at reduction in energy use, therefore reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
