Al Meera Consumer Goods Company has introduced another nationwide recycling initiative that will collect used batteries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment.
During the initial phase, the collection of the used batteries will be carried out in bins across 10 branches, and then will subsequently expand further to other branches, Al Meera said in a statement.
Customers and companies can now scour their homes and offices, especially junk drawers, closets and garages, for used batteries and bring them to Al Meera branches for disposal in designated bins. While batteries power modern life, responsible disposal is important upon their end-of-life as the material in them could harm the environment, Al Meera stated.
“Batteries play a vital role in how our world functions today, but the freedom to be unplugged also comes with the responsibility to ensure the proper and safe disposal of batteries once they expire.
“Our latest environmental initiative, in collaboration with the MME, exemplifies, once again, that we are increasingly utilising our network for round-the-clock recycling as we stay true to our values as a retail brand and fulfil our corporate responsibility to our consumers.”
The initiative follows the newly-installed recycling machines for plastics and can products at eight Al Meera branches. Other environmental steps taken earlier this year include the launch of eco-friendly bags and recycling of paper, in collaboration with Elite Paper Recycling Co.
Engineer Hamad al-Bahar, director of Recycling and Waste Treatment Department at the MME said: “Battery recycling is very important to prevent the potentially hazardous metals they may contain from damaging the environment, reduce waste from going to the landfills, and conserve natural resources. All of us must play our role as one community in recycling the waste we generate if we aspire to make Qatar a beautiful and modern place to live and work.”
The collected batteries will be exported via sea for regulated disposal, according to authorities.
