Videos wanted to save batteries from landfills

The Batterina campaign to keep batteries away from our landfill is encouraging aspiring young video producers this year with a call for entries to its new ‘Video Spot’ competition.

Now entering its fourth year, ‘Batterina’ is WasteServ’s campaign for school children that promotes the separation of spent batteries to be sent for recycling. Every year, children are encouraged to collect as many used batteries as possible, with a cash prize awarded to the school which collects most. Several attractive prizes are also awarded by lucky draw to participating students from all schools.

It is estimated that each year, over 3 million batteries are disposed of in Malta. As most people are aware, batteries contain harmful substances such as acid which if they continue to go to landfill may leach in small quan- tities into the surrounding soil and water table.

Through the Batterina campaign many thousands of these batteries are now being separated from other waste and collected, to be sent abroad for safe disposal and recycling. Metals such as nickel, cobalt and silver can be reclaimed, therefore reducing the need for further mining of these elements.

“There was a point when we thought we should perhaps do away with the campaign but we received so many appeals that we decided that we simply had to continue, with, however, some innovative changes,” says WasteServ Chief Executive Ing. Saviour Abela. “The amount of children taking part is always on the increase and we have already collected close to4000 kg of batteries so far. The competition is not only about winning prizes but winning a better environment for us and future generations.”

Further to an analysis carried out by WasteServ on the results of the last collection campaign, it transpired that there was an increased use of rechargeable batteries which in itself is a positive, in that it respects the Reuse principle. This is a change which should continue to be encouraged.

This year, the Batterina campaign has grown with the addition of the ‘Video Spot’ competition. Open to all secondary school students, it is the opportunity to win great prizes and exposure by producing a short video promoting the safe disposal of batteries.

WasteServ is calling for entries to be creative and original, with the winning videographers receiving a €50 voucher each courtesy of Forestals, a ‘Multimedia Production Experience’ at MCAST’s Institute of Art and Design and their video on the WasteServ website. Entries must be received at the WasteServ office by the end of November to be in with a chance of winning. Runners up will also be awarded the ‘Multimedia Production Experience’.

To safely dispose of batteries, they can be deposited at any of WasteServ’s Civic Amenity sites, while companies and public entities can contact WasteServ to receive a free battery bin for staff and customers to dispose of their spent batteries. WasteServ will then empty these bins for free upon request.

For the full details of the Batterina competitions and the full terms and conditions please visit www.batterina.net/competition or contact WasteServ on Freephone 8007 2200 or facebook.com/WasteServ.