Battery Collection and Recycling

On May 6, the IDEA Public Association, with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), introduced a new project aimed at proper waste management. As part of the project, used batteries, considered one of the most hazardous household wastes, will be collected and sorted into special containers.

It is worth noting that one alkaline battery, discarded carelessly, can contaminate an area of 20 square meters with heavy metals. Hazardous substances released from such batteries penetrate the soil and groundwater, posing serious threats to ecosystems and human health. Considering the chemical composition of batteries, the main goal of the project is to conduct educational outreach among schoolchildren about the serious consequences of their improper disposal.

Initiated by Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder, and leader of IDEA, Leyla Aliyeva, successful projects are being implemented to reduce and effectively manage waste, as well as to promote secondary recycling and youth education about the negative impact of waste on the environment. One such project is the collection and recycling of paper and plastic waste, carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Azersun Company. Over 1000 special containers have been installed in educational institutions and organizations. In order to engage young people in environmental conservation, plans are underway to install battery collection boxes in all higher and secondary educational institutions in Baku.

The collected batteries will be regularly disposed of and stored at the landfill of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan.