Many of the tools and stuffs that we use daily have battery-heart. Clock, calculator, stereo, flashlight, microphone, cellphone and even children’s toys are among them. In today’s science and technological era, it is almost impossible to organize our lives without them.

The first battery, which transmitted electricity through iron and copper, was invented in Baghdad, of the Persian Empire, in 250 BC. The first model of what we call a modern-day battery was designed by an Italian scientist named Allessandro Volta in 1800. Georges Leclanche’s 1860design of primary cell or a non-rechargable battery was an immediate success.

But little do we know that this efficient every-day object has much greater harm than its tiny little container.

We tend to re-use old batteries by biting them. But even batteries that are lying in the rubbish bin have harmful effect on us, save the ones we bite.

The most toxic of all the pollutants that harm the water, soil, air and human health is an expired battery, because of its substance of toxic chemicals and heavy-metals such as mercury, zinc and lead. These toxic batteries are absorbed into the soil, decaying over time, and then dissolve into the air which we breathe.

It is frightening that a single “AA” pencil-sized battery can pollute an area of four metres, 800 thousand litres of water, has hazardous effects on children’s brains, slowing down mentality, and causes cancers, lung disease, and cerebral paralysis.

It seems that other countries take this issue seriously. From 1998, Germany started to use domestic batteries and recycle and return them to shops, as well as Taiwan that has special battery recycling bags in almost every shop.

It is time for us, too, to start throwing away de-toxicated batteries, decreasing the effects on the environment and human health. At least, we could start using batteries that have lower chemical contents, or choose rechargeable ones.

Let’s all try to work our way out of this problem!

20 years ago,Taipei struggled with the same garbage problems that are facing Ulaanbaatar today. Fed up with the issue, the residents of Taipei formed demonstrations and demanded the government to take actions,at the time. Working together,the government and community came up with effcetive strategies to decrease  the level of trash; the residents  promoted and advertised the government's policy and drew  more and more people to join the services.The result is today's clean and tidy "Eco-Taipei".

Basing on the suggestions and demands of its residents, the government of Taipei researched and carried out successful projects with several steps. They are:

1st step: “Recycling strategy” in 1997

2nd step: “Free garbage-bag hand-out” programme, from 1997

3rd step: “Sale of garbage-bags” programme, from 2000

4th step: “Construction of garbage-burning factories” programme, from 2003

5th step: “Sorting-out” programme, from 2004

6th step:“Prohibition and Fine”, from 2006

7th step: “Zero waste” programme, from 2006

The team of “Improving the garbage management of Ulaanbaatar” campaign was introduced to the activities of Huan Bao mou-fan(環保模範) district which successfully set an example at carrying out the “Garbage bag” programme. Although the district office has only two stories and few rooms, a perfect garbage management takes place in this small space.

After seeing how the government and non-governmental organizations and the resident communities created a beautiful and tidy green eco-environment by working together, I thought “Mongolians, too, could easily achieve this if we want to”. Sadly, the only important difference between us and the Taiwanese is that even though we know our civil rights, we seem to avoid our civil duties.

The citizens of Taipei, with their own initiatives and volunteers, take care, love, protect and monitor the environment they built. It’s amazing the veterans and older citizens of the district participate actively in the public services and programmes organized from the district for the better future of their next generations.

You can see plants, trees and flowers grown neatly in every street as you pass by. After witnessing trees planted in large vases along the streets, it made me realize that Mongolian companies and organizational units should think about creating greeneries in our streets. Our way of placing money and payment first, above everything, seemed highly inadequate.

Human kind, as we are no different than any other nature's living creatures, need the cleanand fresh air to breath,water to drink unlimitly and the ground to step on firmly.Thus,health and longevity being the most important  pursuit of our life, lets be more affectionate and carrying for our nature, May good deeds prosper !

Today is July 30, 2009

The citizen journalists and activists of environmental NGOs participating in the second workshop of the Nomad Green environmental website, has visited Narangiin Enger, the Ulaanbaatar city's dumping site and got acquainted with the daily activities in this place.

While I was watching people who were sorting garbage there and struggling to survive , I thought how long these people would live on collecting garbage, if the plan to build a recycling factory gets into work. This is not a very reliable income source for them.

They have already become disciplined ones, who have knowledge and experience on sorting garbages.

These garbage sorters who earn their butter and bread from this dumping site are helping to protect the environment even with just a little bit of payment, or even nothing.

We can help to decrease the poverty by even a small percentage, if these vulnerable group of people are provided with secure jobs and shelters.

Air and soil pollution, lack of pure water is falling down day by day. Today, it will not be over if I write about waste and its decision. This time we want to share with you all on waste management, a number of organized activities, waste transportation and its expense with some comparison.

5 October 2006 "Today" newspaper. “Open door days continue to protect nature. Awarded 15 heads who cleaned and removed waste completely all around their responsible district and region, as well two senior officers from Service Fund of Waste were awarded by 300 thousand tugrugs each.” It has been spending millions of money to waste management like this.

In Bayanzurkh district, there are 25 khoroos /micro district/. It is about 161 million tug rug just for one khoroo to transport its waste as calculated. From this, in first quarter in 2007, it spent 8.5 million tugrug for 153 trucks to transport 546 ton wastes from 14 khoroo. So, it is calculated that 212.5 million tugrug is spent for transportation of 25 khoroo’s waste. Is it impossible to use slight part of this great amount of money to establish healthy environment? For instance, we can buy 10250 bushes of fruit by 8, 5 million tugrug and plant it within 4 hectare territory. If we economize 51 million tugrug for waste transportation from 6 districts in Ulaanbaatar city over three quarters, 3,0 million tugrug will be saved and spent for live nature, pure water, fresh air, our health, our elders, and youth education as well.

Some activists and Ministry of Nature organized a campaign to remove from waste cooperatively. Six districts in the city developed a plan to cooperate with organizations and individuals. This campaign was started from September 2008. It has been long time to implement this project named “Management of firm waste”. Initiator of this project is Daramrenchin D. who lives in 6-157, Council Street, 14 khoroo, Bayanzurkh district and financial is “Mobicom” company. Implementer is NGO and Head office of District Management. We can get rid of waste and turn it into money.