Overview

EcoCamps are Bantay Kalikasan’s education initiative since 2018 that was born out of the desire to build lifelong curiosity and interest in marine conservation. After recognizing the pressing issues plaguing the country’s marine life and the lack of community participation, Bantay Kalikasan sought to champion the EcoCamps with the formula of inquiry-based learning plus experiential education and active stewardship.

Challenge

In today’s rapidly changing and complex world, the disconnect between people and the natural environment is widening, leading to a lack of awareness about the critical importance of marine ecosystems and species protection. Students, teachers, and communities often lack opportunities to truly engage with and understand the environment. Further, existing modules and lessons on marine science are sometimes too technical to be appreciated.

Solution

Bantay Kalikasan began the EcoCamps initiative to offer students, teachers, and communities an immersive learning experience on marine diversity and protection. EcoCamps are usually 3 to 4-day events that include module learning, hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and guided exploration so participants can gain a more profound understanding on how to better care for the environment. Modules distributed during EcoCamps can also be taken home and used by the participants to disseminate their learning, thus taking on a ripple effect.

Impact of your donation

Your contribution can help us sponsor an EcoCamp, craft educational materials, and get more resources that empower individuals to become stewards of our environments. Help us ignite a passion for nature today!

Overview

In October of 2000, Bantay Kalikasan – the Foundation’s environmental arm, the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Philippine Recyclers Inc. signed a Memorandum of Agreement to actively campaign for the recycling of used lead-acid batteries. Dubbed the Bantay Baterya Project, it aims to collect used lead-acid batteries for recycling into fresh raw materials to produce new batteries and aid in the eradication of pollutants.

To achieve a bigger impact, Bantay Langis Project was rolled out 7 years later – with the goal to collect used industrial and cooking oils for proper disposal and recycling through re-refining.

And finally, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) was deployed in 2018 to ensure that beyond oil and batteries, hazardous waste is also collected, treated, and disposed of properly.

Challenge

Lead batteries are considered toxic waste as they contain lead and sulfuric acid. Used oils, whether petroleum or synthetic-based, become hazardous due to impurities like dirt, metals, and chemicals during regular use. Their improper disposal, including pouring down drains or onto the ground, can lead to water and groundwater contamination, posing risks due to heavy metals and additives present, while mishandling used motor oil without proper protection has been linked to cancer. WEEE, one of the fastest growing waste streams is also extremely hazardous. Electronic goods contain heavy materials that can pollute soil and water and are dangerous to human health.

As such, all this waste must be handled, treated, and disposed of properly by expert transporters, recyclers, and treaters. Otherwise, they pose a serious threat to our health and our environment.

Solution

Bantay Kalikasan’s BB/BL/WEEE program encourages companies to donate their used lead batteries, oil, and WEEE that have already been earmarked for disposal. The program then works with accredited transporters, recyclers, and treaters to ensure proper transport, recovery, treatment, and disposal of these hazardous wastes, thus promoting sustainable consumption and protecting human life from hazardous pollutants.

Impact of your donation

Your donated lead batteries, used oils, and WEEE will be turned to gold! Transporters appraise the value of the used batteries and oils and remit the amount to the Foundation – to be used for Bantay Kalikasan’s conservation efforts.