Galway students at Bearna Primary School and Colaiste Mhuire in Ballygar have each been crowned Battery Recycling Champions after collecting the equivalent of 50,050 and 11,700 used AA batteries, respectively, for recycling during the last school year.
Their efforts to save valuable materials from landfill were part of WEEE Ireland’s nationwide Schools Battery Recycling Competition, which saw a total of 1.5 million batteries collected across Ireland, weighing almost as much as four school buses.
Both schools received a €2,000 sports voucher for their achievements after winning in their categories.
This year’s campaign launches as the new EU Batteries Regulation come into full effect, bringing higher waste battery collection, recycling and recovery targets.
“The students at Bearna Primary School and Colaiste Mhuire should be incredibly proud,” said Elizabeth O’Reilly, Head of Environmental Compliance at WEEE Ireland.
“Their work supports the new EU battery regulations that came into effect this August, which set higher targets for recovering critical raw materials like cobalt, copper, lead, lithium, and nickel.”
“Every year, we see how collective action can achieve real results. By collecting thousands of batteries, schools, families, and communities nationwide are helping Ireland meet these targets and protecting the environment for future generations.”
WEEE Ireland is calling on schools to get involved in the competition once again and help Ireland meet these ambitious goals – while supporting environmental protection and the programme’s charity partner LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice.
The competition is open to all primary and secondary schools in WEEE Ireland’s battery recycling counties that collect at least 10 full 5kg battery boxes.
“The funds we have received from WEEE Ireland as a result of battery recycling programme over the last 14 years of this partnership have had such a positive impact on the children and families who avail of LauraLynn’s specialised care and supports all across Ireland.” said Kerry McLaverty, CEO of LauraLynn.
“This year’s donation brings the total fundraising to an incredible €610,000. LauraLynn would also like to say a huge thank you WEEE Ireland for the support across this campaign over the last number of years and to everyone who took the time to recycle their batteries.
“It may seem like something small, but for the children and families who rely on LauraLynn, and for the environment, it is huge and very impactful.”
Schools can find more information and order WEEE Ireland Blue Battery Boxes at www.weeeireland.ie.
