More than 36 tonnes of used batteries have been collected and recycled through a privately-run scheme launched a year and a half ago, GreenPak said on Sunday.

The Batree scheme, which is funded by private industry, took over from a government-run scheme in early 2017.

Since then, it has spared landfills an average of two tonnes of batteries every month – more than double the amount the scheme it replaced had managed.

Nine tonnes of the total was collected by over 100 schools over the past scholastic year. St Francis school in Xagħra was an outstanding contributor, with each student collecting an average of 17.5kg of used batteries over the year.

That performance earned it a computer as thanks, with top student collector Eduardo Trombino bagging a tablet computer for his efforts. Prizes were donated by VJ Salamone Marketing Ltd.

GreenPak CEO Mario Schembri said the scheme had exceeded expectations, and put that down to the public’s growing awareness of environmental issues.

Although the battery recycling figures are encouraging, Malta still has some way to go to catch up with other EU member states.

According to Eurostat data, around 39 per cent of local batteries are recycled. This is a far cry from the 71 per cent recycling rate reached by Belgium, and lower than the EU average of 45 per cent.

An estimated two million portable batteries are imported to Malta every year.
There are around 500 used battery collection points across Malta and Gozo. To find the collection point closest to you, visit the GreenPak website list.

The Batree kids: children collecting batteries for recyling in schools.