PUPILS at Royal and Prior Comprehensive School have been crowned Battery Recycling Champions after collecting the equivalent of 74,050 used AA batteries for recycling during the last school year – saving valuable materials from landfill and showing how small actions can make a big difference.

Their efforts were part of WEEE Ireland’s nationwide Schools Battery Recycling Competition, which saw a total of 1.5 million batteries collected across Ireland weighing almost as much as four school buses.

Royal and Prior Comprehensive School received a €2,000 sports voucher for its achievement.

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

WEEE Ireland is calling on schools to get involved in the competition once again and help Ireland meet these ambitious goals – while supporting environmental protection and the programme’s charity partner LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice.

“The students at Royal and Prior Comprehensive School should be incredibly proud,’ said Elizabeth O’Reilly, Head of Environmental Compliance at WEEE Ireland.

“Their work supports the new EU battery regulations that came into effect this August, which set higher targets for recovering critical raw materials like cobalt, copper, lead, lithium, and nickel.

Penny Rose Gardiner, Danny McKinley, Head Boy, Dr. Howard Welch, Principal, Orlaith Trearty, Class Teacher, Ruby Speer, Head Girl and Neil McBrearty at Royal and Prior Comprehensive School who have been crowned Battery Recycling Champions.

“Every year we see how collective action can achieve real results. By collecting thousands of batteries, schools, families, and communities nationwide are helping Ireland meet these targets and protecting the environment for future generations.”

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.

“The funds we have received from WEEE Ireland as a result of battery recycling programme over the last 14 years of this partnership have had such a positive impact on the children and families who avail of LauraLynn’s specialised care and supports all across Ireland.” said Kerry McLaverty, CEO of LauraLynn.

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