A new collection record. That is the goal of 270 primary schools during the annual Batteries Battle. This fundraising campaign is about fighting for profit and at the same time contributing to a better environment. CBS De Fontein from Sleen is also participating in the campaign.
“You have to collect all empty batteries, every kilo yields 0.25 cents and we do this for a good environment,” says David, a primary school student. Last year, 267 primary schools made an impressive contribution to the campaign by collecting almost 95 thousand kilos of empty batteries. But this year a new record seems to have been set, because last week 80 of the 270 participating schools already had a combined weight of 35 thousand kilos.
CBS De Fontein is a small school with 75 students, but the fundraising campaign has exceeded expectations. “We currently have one barrel almost full; approximately 70 kilos fit in such a barrel. This means that we have collected almost one kilo of batteries per child,” says teacher Soraya Luttmer. “They come to school with their pockets full and are very proud of what they have collected.”
“I think I’ve already lost two kilos,” says student Hugo enthusiastically. “If a battery is empty at home, we put it in a large container and save it. When the container is full, I can return it to the barrel here at school. We just use a lot of batteries at home. .”
David also searches the cupboards at home for empty batteries, he thinks it is important that they are recycled. “Sometimes when I walk down the street I see a battery lying in the bushes. That is very bad because animals then eat it and die. This action prevents the batteries from ending up in nature,” he says.
The school that collects the most batteries wins a trip to the Efteling. No matter how big the school is, everyone has an equal chance of winning. “We look at the number of students compared to the number of batteries. So it does not mean that we have less chance because we are a small school,” says Luttmer.
Even though the clean environment is a priority, the students would also like a trip to the Efteling. “We do it for the good environment, but secretly also for the Efteling,” says David, laughing.
The collection period runs until today. CBS De Fontein hopes to know before the Christmas holidays whether they have won the win.