WEEE Schools Pledge collect equivalent of almost 1 million AA batteries
WEEE Ireland, Ireland’s largest electrical and battery recycling scheme, is delighted to confirm that in 2018, the 
equivalent to almost 35 million AA batteries were diverted from landfill in Ireland. This includes the WEEE Pledge battery recycling programme, which saw schools across the country collect the equivalent of almost 1 million AA batteries.
One school in particular, Scoil Lua Naofa in Tipperary was top of the class for battery recycling – students and teachers from the school collected the equivalent of over 9,600 AA batteries, placing them on top of the leader board in Tipperary, and nationwide.
The WEEE Pledge programme continues to go from strength to strength as one of Ireland’s most successful environmental schools’ education programmes. The programme’s explosive growth continues apace, and now encompasses a network of more than 2,500 schools.
Heading into the new academic year, WEEE Ireland aims to bring the environmental programme onto the school curriculum and inspire the next generation to become guardians of our planet. This will include a new set of educational assets for schools and parents, with lesson plans, activity sheets and other materials being provided to help in educating children around e-waste issues, and to support the continued growth of the WEEE Pledge programme.
Long standing ambassador for WEEE Ireland’s battery recycling efforts and everybody’s favourite red head, Bosco is thrilled to see the fantastic efforts of boys and girls across the country and was on hand to remind everyone of the worthy cause they are supporting by taking part.
Speaking at the event, the nation’s favourite redhead, and WEEE Ireland recycling ambassador, Bosco said: “Every battery that is recycled as part of WEEE Pledge helps to provide important support to WEEE Ireland’s charity partner, LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice.
“By taking the WEEE Pledge to recycle, schools are helping families to make the most of precious lives, because for them, ’every moment matters, every battery counts’. So, by taking the WEEE Pledge today, schools can really recycle for good!”
Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland said: “We are extremely grateful for the hard work that students, families, and staff have once again contributed, in managing to collect such an impressive volume of waste batteries.
“Because of their efforts, we were able to add to our monetary contributions to our long-standing charity partner LauraLynn, which will go a long way to support the incredible work of Ireland’s only children’s hospice.”
Olive O’Meara, Principal, Scoil Lua Naofa, Lorrha said: “We are delighted that Scoil Lua Naofa are the winners of this year’s WEEE Pledge Schools Battery Recycling Programme. I would like to acknowledge and congratulate all our students, their families and the wider community too, who worked so hard collecting batteries.
Special mention to Ann Delahunt Smyth of Busy Bodies Montessori School, her students and parents who have played a big part in collecting used batteries with us. This is a wonderful achievement and it is very positive to see so many young people caring about our environment and their community.”
Communities around the country are encouraged to recycle their waste batteries in local shops throughout the year. Retailers selling batteries are obliged to take back similar waste portable batteries for recycling, free of charge. WEEE Ireland provide free waste battery storage boxes to collect them in and once full these can be returned with your Newspread collections or collected by WEEE Ireland. Retailers must also display the statutory notice which is available to download from www.weeeireland.ie.
Retailers can order their free blue WEEE Ireland battery boxes through their Newspread account or via WEEE Ireland on 1890 253 252 or www.weeeireland.ie.