Centers participating in the Wild Recycling Contest collect more than 3 tons of used batteries

Students and teachers from all over Spain have highlighted the importance of sustainability and caring for the environment in the classroom. The II Edition of the Wild Recycling Contestorganized by VARTA y JUNIOR Esportshas come to an end with a record number: a total of 3,023 kilos of batteriesfar surpassing last year’s collection.

Over the course of a month (between October 27 and November 27), the students, led by their teachers, deposited as many used batteries as possible at the Recycling Boxes that were placed in their educational centers.

Subsequently, the collection and counting of the discarded units began. All the batteries collected were deposited at a recycling point, thanks to the collaboration of the Ecolec FoundationEcolec Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes the correct management of electronic and electrical waste (WEEE) and care for the environment.

Winning centers

The three schools with the most batteries recycled (by weight in kilograms) received a total prize pool of more than 3,500€. for the digitalization of its classrooms:

• First position. The Francisco Figueras Pacheco High Schoolin Alicante, is the center that collected the highest number of used batteries (803 kilograms). Their ecological and sustainable work has been rewarded with €2,000 (exchangeable for technological equipment) and 30 sets of VARTA products.
• Second position. The Josep Segrelles High Schoolfrom Abaida (València), achieved the second best collection, with 469 kilograms which allowed him to obtain a prize worth 1,000€ (exchangeable for technological equipment).
• Third position. The Our Lady of the Angels Schoolof Madrid, recycled 323 kilograms of batteries and has been awarded with 500€ (exchangeable for technological material).

The importance of recycling

Beyond the Wild Recycling Contest, which will feature a forthcoming III Edition as of February, several workshops were also held in collaboration with Ecolec and VARTA for the participating schools, where they were able to learn about the importance of recycling and its impact on the environment.

Through initiatives such as the Wild Recycling Contest, VARTA y JUNIOR Esports have opened a path towards the future with the aim of achieving a more sustainable environment, involving students and teachers, parents and mothers and fathers.

Batteries are the most polluting fraction of our household waste, when they are thrown away together with household waste they lose their cover, a corrosion process is accelerated and they release the metals they contain which leach into the soil, passing into the water layers and reaching the rivers, soil and air with consequent damage and increased pollution.

Only batteries that are deposited in special containers are recycled. Their recycling prevents a number of hazardous substances such as mercury, cadmium, zinc and lead from entering the environment. It is estimated that the activity linked to the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment and batteries has contributed to the generation of around 1.23 billion euros from gross value added (GVA) in the Spanish economy in 2021.