Mayo students save thousands of batteries from landfill

SCHOOLS across Mayo recycled thousands of used batteries during the last school year, showing how local students, families and teachers can make a real difference.

A total of 16 schools in Mayo took part in WEEE Ireland’s Schools Battery Recycling Competition, collecting the equivalent of 39,650 used AA batteries - preventing valuable materials like lithium, cobalt and nickel from being lost to landfill.

In total, students in Ireland recycled the equivalent of 1.5 million AA batteries last school year - the weight of close to four school buses.

This year’s campaign launches as new EU batteries regulation come into full effect, bringing higher waste battery collection, recycling and recovery targets.

WEEE Ireland is calling on schools, families and communities nationwide to get involved in its annual schools battery recycling competition and help Ireland meet these ambitious goals - while supporting environmental protection and the programme’s charity partner LauraLynn 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.

Winning schools last year hailed from Galway, Carlow, Roscommon, Waterford and Donegal, with each awarded a €2,000 sports voucher for their efforts.

The funds have received from WEEE Ireland as a result of the battery recycling programme over the last 14 years of partnership have also had a positive impact on the children and families who avail of LauraLynn's specialised care and supports all across Ireland. This year’s donation brings the total fundraising to €610,000.

Schools can find more information and order WEEE Ireland blue battery boxes at weeeireland.ie.