Schools take charge on recycling with the launch of the Big Battery Challenge

Stockland is again partnering with the National Theatre for Children (NTC) to kick off the Big Battery Challenge for the fifth year, with over 30 schools across Stockland’s communities expected to participate, aiming to collect a total of 10,000 kgs of used batteries.  

The Big Battery Challenge will run from February 2024 to November 2024 in Stockland’s masterplanned communities across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. 

Last year, Stockland and the NTC worked with nearly 20,000 students and 850 teachers across 23 Stockland communities and diverted a total of 6,685 kilograms of batteries from landfill – the equivalent weight of around five small cars.

Stockland General Manager Sustainability, Penny Barker, said it was exciting to see the initiative gaining momentum with more schools each year signing up to the program. 

“At Stockland, our goal is to shape communities that thrive now and in the future. The Big Battery Challenge is a fun and educational initiative for children in our Stockland communities to build sustainable practices that will have long term benefits,” Ms Barker said.  

“The students understand the importance of recycling batteries from the engaging and interactive performances and activities by the NTC and we are proud to continue our partnership with them for the fifth year.” 

Since 2020, the initiative has helped to educate students on the importance of battery recycling through a series of interactive, in-person performances and online events, alongside digital activities, printed workbooks and teacher resources. 

“Education through storytelling, interactive games and exciting characters allows children to make sense of their environment and get practical and relevant skills that inspire them to make battery recycling a priority,” NTC Managing Director Tobias Benn said.

Mr Benn also explained how battery components are recycled into new products. 

“Recovered metals like copper, aluminium and steel are processed and mainly used in Australia. Generally, the copper makes blown powders for the automotive industry, and the steel is sent to Castings Tasmania to manufacture castings for a range of industries across Australia. 

“To date, over the life of the Big Battery Rescue program, around 16,900 kilograms of batteries have been collected and sent to recycling. This equates to nearly 735,000 AA batteries containing   

2,870 kilograms of steel which can be almost fully recovered and sent directly to Castings Tasmania to produce items like railroad tracks,” Mr Benn added.

“Additionally, recycled materials such as manganese, zinc, lithium, cobalt, and nickel are in high demand and suit a variety of applications such as fertilizer and chemical industries. The black sand material is sent overseas for refining.”

For more information on the Big Battery Challenge, visit: www.BigBatteryRescue.com 

For more information on Stockland’s ESG strategy, visit: https://www.stockland.com.au/sustainability