FIMBank supports School Battery Collection Campaign

18.01.2010

SLIEMA, 15th January 2010 – The Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, in conjunction with the Ministry for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, has launched the second edition of the National School Battery Collection Campaign, an environmental initiative aimed at raising awareness amongst school children about the need for the proper disposal of used batteries. This campaign, conceived and managed by WasteServ Malta Ltd, is sponsored and supported by FIMBank plc as part of its corporate social responsibility programme. The first such campaign, which was held between March and May 2009, led to the collection of 5.2 tonnes of used batteries by schoolchildren.

As part of this year’s campaign, which will take place between the 18th January and the 26th March, 2010, students will once again be encouraged to collect used batteries, place them in paper bags and deposit them in designated bins in their school. The batteries collected will subsequently be transported by WasteServ to properly equipped disposal sites overseas where they can be recycled and the dangerous chemicals neutralized. By participating in this campaign, students will also be taking part in a competition with the chance to win one of three Nintendo Wiis or six Nintendo DSs. The more batteries a student collects, the greater his/her chances of winning one of these great prizes. An innovative aspect of this year’s campaign is that the school collecting the largest amount of batteries per capita will be the winner of a €2,000 grant to be employed to improve school facilities for the enjoyment by its students or alternatively invest these in renewable energy installations for the general benefit of the school and the environment

FIMBank President Ms Margrith Lütschg-Emmenegger stated that the Bank’s continued support for the National School Battery Collection Campaign reflects the Bank’s commitment to this environmental initiative. “Last year’s experience of working with our partners WasteServ, the schools, schoolchildren and their parents in driving home this environmental message was especially fulfilling for us. We look forward to working again with the younger generation of Maltese towards achieving greater awareness of the need for proper disposal of used batteries.”

On behalf on WasteServ Malta Ltd, company Chief Executive Officer Ing. Vince Magri stated that “The most important outcome of these initiatives is the fact that it is contributing towards the need of changing our culture of waste management. The days when all waste fractions are mixed and buried in a landfill are over, and we all need to separate and recycle waste to protect our environment”. For more information about proper battery disposal, the campaign and the accompanying competition, please visit www.batterina.net.

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