Wicklow Students Save Thousands Of Batteries From Landfill

Over €600,000 has been raised for LauraLynn through WEEE Ireland fundraising.

Schools across Wicklow recycled the equivalent of 16,000 AA batteries last year.

Eight schools in the county took part in WEEE Ireland’s Battery Recycling Competition.

It helps prevent materials like lithium and cobalt from ending up in landfill.

Nationally, students recycled 1.5 million batteries – the weight of four school buses.

The campaign supports LauraLynn Children’s Hospice

WEEE Ireland is launching its annual Schools Battery Recycling Competition again  as new EU battery recycling rules come into effect.

The competition is open to all primary and secondary schools that collect at least 10 full 5kg battery boxes. said Elizabeth O’Reilly, Head of Environmental Compliance at WEEE Ireland says:

“The new EU Batteries Regulation raise the bar for all of us. It’s fantastic to see so many schools in Wicklow stepping up to meet the challenge. The incredible efforts of students, teachers, families and local communities helped ensure we meet the minimum recovery targets for materials like cobalt, copper, lead, lithium, and nickel. This allows these materials to be recaptured for use again in manufacturing, as part of a more sustainable and circular battery economy.”

Last year''s winning schools from Galway, Carlow, Roscommon, Waterford and Donegal were each awarded a €2,000 sports voucher for their efforts.

“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 out more and order WEEE Ireland Blue Battery Boxes at www.weeeireland.ie