Successful Scheme Set To Be Extended To UAE and Kuwait
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - The unsightly and environmentally unfriendly dumping of car batteries in the desert has, for many years, been an unwelcome by-product of Saudi Arabia's love affair with the automobile. However, an innovative initiative pioneered by the Middle East Battery Company (MEBCO) is now making tangible progress in the battle to keep the environment clean and people safe from harmful battery acids and metals.
It is estimated that 5.5 million car batteries are sold in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia per year - a figure which is set to increase significantly over the next few years as vehicle sales continue to rise steadily.
Last year, sales of MEBCO maintenance free batteries were up by 20% to 1.5 million units. In the first quarter of this year, nearly 600,000 MEBCO batteries were sold across the Middle East, reflecting a 36% increase in sales. Region wide, market share now stands at 34%.
MEBCO launched its new community battery re-cycling initiative earlier this year in a move that reinforced its dedication to being a responsible corporate citizen. The initiative has seen the introduction of a partnership-based programme with battery distributors throughout the Kingdom that enables ACDelco Maintenance Free batteries to be disposed of in a controlled and environmentally safe way.
In addition to helping distributors clear their inventories of scrap batteries containing potentially hazardous materials, the trail-blazing programme has also streamlined the recycling process and ensures that the environmental impact of battery disposal is correctly managed.
Prompted by requests from ACDelco battery distributors, the recycling programme has been arranged through smelter RASASS, MEBCO's supplier of lead, who collects scrap batteries from distributors on a monthly basis and ensures that they are disposed of in an efficient and environmentally-sound manner.
"ACDelco batteries are engineered to withstand the harsh climate of the Middle East and are the largest selling brand in the region," says John Grant, sales & marketing manager MEBCO. "However, if they are not disposed of responsibly, it could lead to their components being released into the environment with disastrous long-term effects.
"The initiative is working well and we have seen great progress in the first few months, with an estimated 25,000 batteries recycled so far. Everybody wins...the battery distributor gets paid for collecting the used batteries, RASSAS is assured of a regular supply of recycled lead at a competitive price and less and less batteries are dumped in the desert.
"But, ultimately, it's the environment that's the winner and we are so pleased with how things have gone so far that we are now looking at extending the programme to the UAE and Kuwait."
Youssef Al Dossary, owner of ACDelco battery distributor Yousef Ahmed Rashid Al Dossary and Bros Co, who has been a major supporter of the recycling initiative, said: "We are a part of the community in which we operate ACDelco battery distributor, so we consider it to be extremely important to be involved in the responsible disposal of batteries.
"We are delighted with the depth of support that MEBCO has provided in this matter and we are backing the scheme because protecting the environment and safeguarding people's health is of vital importance."
MEBCO has produced more than 10 million ACDelco batteries since it was set up in 1997 as the Middle East's first Maintenance Free battery production facility, focusing on serving all makes and all models. ACDelco, which is a subsidiary of General Motors, has been an integral part of the automotive industry for almost 100 years, establishing a reputation for setting industry standards for top quality automotive parts.
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A division of General Motors Corporation, ACDelco strives to maintain the highest standards in the industry, delivering quality parts for almost all makes and models of automotive vehicles.
ACDelco consistently brings new advances in parts technology, smart inventions and innovative ideas to the marketplace ahead of its competitors. Today ACDelco supplies more than 70,000 parts, including spark plugs, batteries, brakes and filters. Every month, ACDelco ships 36,000 tons of automotive replacement parts to retail outlets and repair shops throughout the globe.
ACDelco's Service Centre network spans the Middle East region, taking the stress out of vehicle maintenance and servicing for all makes and models of automotive vehicles.
© Press Release 2006
