HSE Students Initiative ‘The Battle of Batteries’ Helped the Environment

In the middle of spring,  battery collection boxes were placed in all buildings at HSE Nizhny Novgorod thanks to the initiative of HSE students. Over 50 kilograms of used batteries were collected. It is well-known that the heavy metals in one discarded AA battery can pollute about 20 square meters of land. Thus the campaign ‘The Battle of Batteries’ helped to save a forest area the size of 40 sports stadiums.

In the middle of spring,  battery collection boxes were placed in all buildings at HSE Nizhny Novgorod thanks to the initiative of HSE students. Over 50 kilograms of used batteries were collected. It is well-known that the heavy metals in one discarded AA battery can pollute about 20 square meters of land. Thus the campaign ‘The Battle of Batteries’ helped to save a forest area the size of 40 sports stadiums.

Student activists involved not only their friends and families but also residents of Nizhny Novgorod in collecting this hazardous waste. Young ecologists placed containers for battery collection in house entrances, shops, and even other nearby towns.

Ekaterina Ulyanova, a 3rd-year student of the Faculty of Business Informatics got the record for the number of batteries collected. She managed to collect more than 11 kg of batteries. Ekaterina placed containers for batteries at the entrances of several houses. She also used social networks to actively promote proper disposal of hazardous waste. Many residents came to the girl to hand over used batteries.

Olga Nefedova, a 2nd-year student of the Faculty of Management also contributed to the campaign. She managed to collect 6 kg of batteries. According to the Olga, residents were so concerned with the problem that they still bring her batteries for recycling even though the campaign has finished.

HSE activists promised to keep on collecting batteries and promoting proper disposal. All the batteries collected will be sent to Chelyabinsk, to a recycling plant.