Students save 1.5m used batteries from landfill
WEEE Ireland’s Schools Battery Recycling Competition returns this October for a new school year, and is open to all primary and secondary schools in WEEE Ireland battery recycling counties that collect at least 10 full 5kg battery boxes.
Last year’s competition marked a new milestone, with a record number of primary and secondary schools participating from October 2023 to March of this year.
The equivalent of 1.5 million used AA batteries – the weight of almost four school buses – were saved from landfill and recycled by primary and secondary students across the country during the last school year.
Roundwood National School was awarded €2,000 in sports vouchers for its commitment to sustainability along with five other schools, including three in Sligo and one in both Dublin and Roscommon, who each won in their category.
By actively encouraging the involvement of teachers, families, and the broader community to collect used batteries for recycling, students can ensure that valuable materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt and copper are recovered and reused, rather than lost to landfill.
“The new European Battery Regulations, applicable from earlier this year, introduce comprehensive rules to manage the entire lifecycle of batteries within the EU,” said Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland.
“Minimum material recovery targets for materials like cobalt, lithium, and nickel will apply to various battery types, ensuring valuable materials are recaptured.
“These new targets will require increased participation in battery recycling across all sectors, so we’d urge even more to join the drive this year and make a real difference to saving materials that are increasingly in scarce supply.”
Each battery recycled through WEEE Ireland contributes to a donation fund for LauraLynn.
Kerry McLaverty, CEO of LauraLynn, said: “The funds we have received from WEEE Ireland as a result of the battery campaign have had such a positive impact on the children and families who avail of LauraLynn’s care and specialised supports all across Ireland.
“This year’s donation brings the total fundraising to €590,575 – an incredible level. WEEE Ireland has been partnering with and supporting us since day one and we are grateful for their continued support as we grow our community of care and support more children and families than ever before.”
Schools interested in participating in the WEEE Ireland Schools Batteries competition can visit weeeireland.ie for more information on the competition and to order WEEE Ireland Blue Battery boxes.
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