The WEEE Ireland Schools Battery Competition is back for 2023-2024!
September 28, 2023
A record 2 million used batteries saved from landfill in the 2022-2023 school recycling competition!
The equivalent of 2 million used AA batteries – the weight of around five school buses – has been diverted from landfill and recycled thanks to a nationwide schools battery initiative.
WEEE Ireland’s Schools Battery Recycling Competition saw a record amount of waste batteries collected from last October to March this year – and their precious materials recovered for re-use.
And as it enters its 12th year, the country’s largest e-waste and battery recycling scheme is once again calling on primary and secondary students throughout Ireland to participate in the vital initiative, which also supports LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.
The drive is being backed by TV and radio presenter Laura Woods, who was joined by one of this year’s winners – Scoil Naomh Pádraig in Ballyroan Dublin, to launch this year’s contest.
“As a mother to two school-going children, it’s great to see this generation take on such an important challenge with enthusiasm and break all previous records,” she said. “Not only are their recycling efforts making a massive contribution to a greener environment, they’re also helping all the children and families who rely on LauraLynn’s services and support. A big well done to the winning schools who knocked it out of the park during the last school term!”
In addition to Scoil Naomh Pádraig, five other schools in Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford were crowned Battery Recycling Champions in the last school year, each receiving €2,000 in sports vouchers to reward their commitment to sustainability.
The initiative encourages the involvement of teachers, families and wider communities to help students collect as many used batteries as possible.
A huge congratulations to our six winning schools!
Returning for a new school year from October, the competition is open to all primary and secondary schools which collect at least 10 full 5kg battery boxes in WEEE Ireland battery recycling counties.
“Binning batteries is a big problem because the materials lost to landfill are increasingly in short supply,” said Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland. “Plus, the harm to the environment, including animals and plants, can often be severe. This really important programme means students can play their part in preventing this. It always gets a great response from them, their teachers and the wider community, and I’d urge more to get on board this year.”
Every battery recycled with WEEE Ireland goes towards a donation fund for LauraLynn.
Its CEO, Kerry McLaverty, said: “The funds that 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.
“Over the last 12 years, the campaign has helped us to raise awareness of our services and our ongoing need for support and donations as Ireland’s only children’s hospice.”
See here for more information on the WEEE Ireland Schools Battery Recycling Competition 2023/2024!