Longford schools save 66,650 used batteries from landfill in school recycling competition

16 schools across county Longford participated in the saving of 66,650 used AA batteries from entering landfills over their school year.

These schools were a part of WEEE Ireland’s battery recycling competition which  ran from October 2023 to March 2024. 

1.5 million used AA batteries were collected nationally through the competition. That equates to the weight of four school buses.

The competition is open to all primary and secondary schools in WEEE Ireland battery recycling counties and shall start again this October.

Entry is open to any school in these counties that manage to collect 10 full 5kg battery boxes.

TV and radio presenter Laura Woods launched this year’s campaign, which also supports LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, calling on schools and students across Ireland to register for the competition as it enters its 13th year.

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"The recycling efforts from every participating school not only make a significant environmental impact but also provide essential support to LauraLynn's children’s hospice," said Laura.

 "Schools that engage in this important drive help rescue millions of batteries that might otherwise sit forgotten in drawers or old devices, ensuring their valuable materials can be recovered for reuse.”

A record number of schools, both primary and secondary schools participated in last year's competition. 

By actively encouraging the involvement of teachers, families, and the broader community to collect used batteries for recycling.

Students can then ensure that valuable materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt and copper are recovered and reused, rather than lost to landfill.

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Minimum material recovery targets have been put in place to ensure the recovery of these materials 

“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. 

“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."

Kerry McLaverty, CEO of LauraLynn, expressed her gratitude as each battery recycled through WEEE Ireland contributes to a donation fund for LauraLynn.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

“We’d also like to say a huge thank you 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 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.