About 600,000 lanterns are expected to illuminate Taiwan tomorrow as cities around the nation commence their Lantern Festival celebrations, but the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) urged the public yesterday to celebrate the first of the nation's three major festivals in an environmentally friendly way.
"Considering that two batteries are generally needed per lantern, 1.2 million batteries will be used during the Lantern Festival this year," EPA recycling fund management board executive director, Lin Chien-hui (
Taiwan's battery recycling rate is over 30 percent, Lin said, higher than many European countries whose aim is to reach 25 percent by 2012. However, "this still means that 840,000 triple-A batteries will be exposed to the environment after the festivities," he said.
Batteries need to be recycled mainly because of the heavy metals they contain. Metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead are harmful to human health, Lin said.
Inside the body, mercury and lead attack the central nervous system, Lin said, adding that cases of hair loss or mental retardation in children have been attributed to lead.
In addition, cadmium blocks the absorption of calcium, an essential nutrient needed for bone health, he said, adding that too much cadmium in one's system can cause bones to curve.
The Lantern Festival, which falls on Jan. 15 of the lunar calendar, came about more than 2,000 years ago, although its origin is debated.
Some believe it evolved from Buddhism, and was added to the practice of worshipping gods on the first full-moon of the year, using lanterns to pay respect to divinity. Some believe this gradually evolved into a festival dedicated to making elaborate lanterns.
Others say that the tradition was started by Emperor Wun of the Han Dynasty, who took the throne on Jan. 15 of the lunar calendar after winning a series of chaotic civil wars. Some believe he started the custom of hanging lanterns to celebrate his day of victory.
Regardless of its origins, every city and county in Taiwan now puts on celebrations during Lantern Festival every year, Lin said, and festival-goers usually bring along their own lanterns to the party.
"Choose batteries that bear the recycling logo on the package and also look for the line `this battery complies with EPA regulations for mercury content [5ppm or below],'" Lin said.
In addition, take batteries out of the lanterns after use, or place them into other appliances to maximize the battery's usage, he said.
"At the end of the batteries' life cycle, bring them to recycling bins in convenience stores, supermarkets, or electronic stores in your neighborhood. Not only can this save the environment, but the heavy metals can be recollected and recycled for other uses," he said.
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