PHNOM PENH IS THE FIRST CITY IN THE REGION
THAT STARTED COLLECTING DRY BATTERY WASTES
FOR TREATMENT

PHNOM PENH-August 1st, 2007: During the monthly meeting on July 30th 2007, at the City Hall, Phnom Penh Governor, H.E. Mr. Kep Chuk Tema, announced that:

The Municipality will organize a big Campaign, aiming at raising awareness and calling for joint efforts from the public in the proper disposal, and segregation of Dry Battery Wastes from other household wastes, for ease of management in accordance with technical norms.

Excellency Governor mentioned that, basing on experiences of academic institutions and agencies, Dry Battery Wastes can cause serious hazards, and have bad affect to the health of human being in the long run. He informed the meting that Classification of hazardous wastes has been stipulated in Sub-Decrees # 36 on Solid Wastes Management and # 27 on Water Pollution Control.

He added that the Campaign should start from the leaders who were participating in the captioned meeting. They should have Dry Battery Wastes Collection Bins among their respective home.

Moreover, Hotels, Shopping Centers, Shops selling electronic appliances, Police Stations, Army Bases, and all Municipal entities in Phnom Penh should have Dry Battery Wastes Collection Bins.

Most importantly, Khand and Sangkat Offices should have Dry Battery Wastes Collection Bins; and Authorities should encourage the people to possess such Bins, and should start segregating Dry Battery Wastes from other household wastes.

Excellency Governor added that: “To this date, myself, my children and my family used to throw away Dry Battery Wastes easily; but now that I am aware of the serious hazards caused by their chemical substances and the radio-active that lead to dangers, affecting health of human being, all living creatures, and environment in the long run, I worry a lot. This is a big problem that concerns everyone of us, and we need to change our habit. At the same time, it is an opportunity for us make a record, and to increase confidence in tourism; as our Capital, Phnom Penh, has become the 1st City in the region to start solving the problem of Dry Battery Wastes.

It is necessary to produce educational spots, and install billboards along National Roads, at the entrances to Phnom Penh; then, 1,000 Dry Battery Wastes Collection Bins shall be produced, and the Municipality will bear all these costs.

Excellency Governor expressed his sincere appreciations and profound gratitude to the European Commission for supporting the Project “Establishing a Policy on the Disposal of Dry Batteries in Cambodia (BATCAM) ”, which is being implemented by the Municipal Department of Environment; aiming at solving problems that might be caused by Dry Battery Wastes in Cambodia (including establishing of appropriate policies, collection and possible recycling).

It should be noted that the BATCAM Project has started since April 2006, and scheduled to be completed by November 2007. So far, many key outcomes have been accomplished. In the mean time, the Municipal Department of Environment, in close cooperation with the Municipality, the Ministry of Environment and other concerned institutions and authorities, are trying hard to find ways for sustainability of the process after the Project ends.

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For more information regarding BATCAM Project / Dry Battery Wastes issues, please contact: Mr. CHIEK Ang, Deputy Director of Municipal Dept of Environment, BATCAM Project Manager, H/P: 011 852 111, e-mail: ang.chiek@online.com.kh web: http://www.phnompenh.gov.kh .