The team of the “Nicolae Titulescu” College in Brașov set a new record for the collection of used batteries, within the Recycling Patrol, and won the First Prize at the final stage of the national competition “No batteries in the trash” – 2023 edition. In total, the Volens Association awarded 8 schools in 7 counties for the amounts of battery and accumulator waste (DBA) they managed to collect selectively, mobilizing their communities.

During the 8 months in which the 2023 competition took place, the team from Brașov, coordinated by Prof. George Donici, sent 435 kilograms of DBA for recycling. They surpassed the previous record set within the Recycling Patrol program in 2015. In second place, also with an impressive amount – 405 kg (just a few kilograms below the previous record!), the team of the “Mihai Eminescu” Secondary School from Râmnicu was placed Vâlcea, coordinated by Prof. Aurelia Tertereanu, participating in the competition for the first time.

“For the more than 1,000 students of our school, most of whom participated in the competition, this victory is proof that it is possible. We succeeded thanks to the support given by the school management and the teaching staff, thanks to the enthusiasm of the children and, last but not least, the experience in the Recycling Patrol. We have been participating in the program for many years and are constantly practicing good habits towards the environment. Students and their families collect batteries at home, parents also bring those collected from work. Together, we can give a new life to recyclable waste, promoting a green future” says Prof. George Donici.

This year’s edition of the battery competition also had a creativity section, where the prizes were awarded in June 2023. On November 21, the schools that collected the largest amounts of DBA nationally were awarded.

39 educational units from 26 localities and 18 counties qualified for both award categories. Some of these schools were also present at previous editions.

In the 4 editions of the project, preschoolers, students and high school students, together with their teachers, sent over 9,000 kilograms of used batteries and accumulators for recycling.

“We hoped to beat 2015’s record not because of the numbers, but because of the powerful message it sends. Dead batteries exist in every home. This waste is generated more and more, year after year, and yet it is still not recycled as much as it should be. It is important that the education approach continues. Behind these kilograms are hundreds of hours of volunteering, through which children and young people acquire knowledge in the field of environmental protection, work together, develop important skills for the future and make their voices heard”, explains Alexandra Arnăutu, director of the national climate education program Recycling Patrol.

“No battery to waste – 2023 edition” was further supported by SisCoBat, the OTR (organization of transfer of responsibility) in the field of DBA collection.

“We also supported this edition of the contest because continuity is the key to changing habits. The decision to collect e-waste is up to the consumer. In the case of batteries, unlike other waste, throwing them in the trash, along with household waste, seems within everyone’s reach, although it is strictly prohibited. The essential stake is therefore deep personal motivation based on a value system. Only through constant information and awareness efforts do we create this motivation, which transforms a one-time decision into a practice of everyday life. The records achieved by the award-winning teams prove that where the school is a “pole” of ecological responsibility, the batteries no longer end up in the trash, but in the recycling. Once convinced of the importance of collecting, children and young people become tireless promoters of this gesture” declares Mihaela Șerban, SisCoBat administrator.

Winners of the No Battery to Trash 2023 contest:

First Prize: “Nicolae Titulescu” College, Brașov (Brașov county) – Prof. George Donici – collection record 435kg

Second Prize: “Mihai Eminescu” Secondary School, Râmnicu Vâlcea (Vâlcea county) – Prof. Aurelia Tertereanu

Third prize (2 winning schools):

Secondary School No. 22, Galati (Galati County) – Prof. Mariana Lenuța Bumbaru

“Mihai Eminescu” Secondary School, Vaslui (Vaslui County) – Prof. Luminița Popa

Mentions:

“Liviu Rebreanu” Secondary School, Comănești (Bacău County) – Prof. Cristina Mihaela Văcărașu

“Anton Pann” Secondary School, Râmnicu Vâlcea (Vâlcea County) – Prof. Ana-Maria Mihalache

Kindergarten with P.P. “The World of Childhood”, Râmnicu Sărat (Buzău County) – Prof. Corina Aurelia Tocmelea

Technological High School “Iuliu Maniu”, Carei (Satu Mare County) – Prof. Nicoleta Popa