Recharging the environment

'Student Battery Ambassadors' from Gilgai Plains Primary School are collecting batteries to recycle as part of the Big Battery Challenge. Year 1 student, Audrey stands at the front. (Damjan Janevski) 331799_02

Students from Gilgai Plains Primary School are collecting and recycling batteries as part of this year’s Big Battery Challenge in an effort to divert unnecessary landfill and hazardous environment waste.

Leading Teacher at Gilgai Plains Primary School, Scott Woolcock said that students have been bringing in batteries daily and are eager to fill up the schools battery buckets.

“Our students agree it is important to support the challenge and recycle our community’s batteries to keep them out of landfill and do our part for the environment for years to come,” he said.

“Our students have responded so enthusiastically to the challenge. They have been diligent in asking their families and friends to recycle their old batteries.”

Gilgai Plains Primary School is one of 23 schools taking part in this year’s challenge, Mr Woolcock said that the school is always looking for ways to support the environment and make the community more sustainable.

“We hope our students learn the importance of developing sustainable practices in order to care for their community and its environment, for the benefit of themselves and all,” he said.

The Big Battery Challenge is hosted by Stockland together with the National Theatre for Children and will run from March to December. Participants can recycle all types and sizes of single use and rechargeable batteries, button cell and mobile phone batteries.

Last year the challenge worked with more than 12,000 students and 500 teachers to divert nearly 7,500 kilograms of batteries from landfill.

Hannah Hammoud