Unregulated battery recycling poses grave environmental threat to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka faces a mounting environmental crisis from its unregulated battery recycling industry, with the Centre for Environmental Justice warning that more than 5,000 metric tonnes of sulphuric acid could be entering the nation's ecosystems each year through improper handling of lead-acid batteries.

The organisation's assessment reveals a deeply fragmented regulatory landscape, with over 2,000 lead-smelting operations reportedly functioning across the country without sufficient environmental safeguards in place. Many of these facilities operate in or near residential areas, raising public health concerns for communities in close proximity to the operations.

The Centre for Environmental Justice highlighted that the scale of unregulated recycling activity far exceeds current government monitoring and enforcement capacity. The lack of proper waste management protocols means toxic materials are leaching into soil and groundwater resources that many Sri Lankans depend upon for drinking water and agricultural purposes.

The warning comes as Sri Lanka grapples with broader environmental challenges and waste management deficiencies. Experts have called for urgent implementation of stricter regulations, improved monitoring systems, and support for legitimate recycling operations that meet international environmental standards.

Environmental officials have not yet publicly responded to the Centre's findings, though the alert is expected to intensify pressure on authorities to address one of the country's most hazardous informal industries.