Ivanka’s Battery Quest at Full Charge
Image credit: Roberto Sorin, unsplash.com
Ivanka Upasena is protecting the environment, one battery at a time.
It all started when the 11-year-old needed to acquire her Scout Landcare badge for the 1st Berwick Scout Group. She started looking online with the help of her parents and came across the Clean Up Australia website. Ivanka soon realised that people are not discarding batteries correctly, which is a cause for concern.
“People never think about recycling batteries,” Ivanka said. “Batteries are one of the worst items going into the garbage.”
Households are unaware that by throwing away unwanted batteries, they are actually damaging the environment. The statistics speak for themselves, with around 97% of household batteries ending up in landfills. This amounts to almost 8000 tonnes per year.
“There is a harmful chemical in batteries called alkaline, which can lead to health issues and harm the environment.”
To earn her Landcare badge, Ivanka decided to collect as many batteries as she could to prevent their dangerous chemicals from polluting landfills. She collected batteries from her school, Berwick Primary School, her neighbours and the local community. Now, her hard work has paid off as she has collected more than 1000 batteries in just over a month, which she then took to a proper recycling facility.
Since completing the project, Ivanka is continuing to raise awareness and wants to protect the environment from the toxic materials found in this common household item.
“I love how people are starting to recycle batteries, especially kids from school,” she said. “The school have been really helpful.”
The next time you find old or used batteries, think twice before throwing them in the bin. Help protect the environment by donating unwanted batteries to your local Aldi store, selected Bunnings stores or ask your local council about the nearest recycling station.
Ivanka is still collecting unwanted batteries, so you can also drop them off at Berwick Primary School.
“They can be recycled if you do it properly,” she said.
‘Ivanka’s Battery Quest at Full Charge’ was published in the Pakenham Gazette.