ALL WASTE batteries recycled before the end of this year – estimated at up to 4.5 million – will go towards a fund to provide Ireland’s first children’s hospice, Laura Lynn House, with a battery-powered electric SUV for its staff and patients.
“If each person in Ireland were to bring just one battery back for recycling to their retailer, even without purchasing new ones, or to their local recycling centre, an incredible 100 tonnes would be diverted from landfill sites,” a spokeswoman said.
The “Spread a Little Sunshine” initiative has been organised by WEEE Ireland, the industry compliance scheme for battery and waste electrical and electronic recycling, in collaboration with the Children’s Sunshine Home incorporating Laura Lynn House.
“We all use batteries in our daily lives so we all can help in this unique campaign,” said Lorraine Cronin, speaking for WEEE Ireland. “Batteries can be dropped off for recycling at your local recycling centre or in any retail outlet that sells similar batteries with no purchase necessary.
“It’s easy and it’s free – so check old toys, look in the backs of drawers and gather as many batteries as possible and bring them back for recycling,” she advised consumers, adding that they should look out for WEEE Ireland collection boxes in retail outlets.
Philomena Dunne, chief executive of Children’s Sunshine Home, said: “We are delighted WEEE Ireland have chosen us for this exceptional Christmas campaign, it . . . will make a real difference.”
The Foxrock, Co Dublin, hospice was officially opened last September by former president Mary McAleese, after years of fundraising and without any additional Government funding. It was named after two children who died from rare heart conditions.
See www.recyclefree.ie and www.sunshinehome.ie for details
