Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell

Today’s good news story comes from the blog #PassItOn. 

photo from #PassItOn

It was sent to me by Monika, the head rancher at Tales Around the Ranch blog

Teen Helps Keep 655,000 Batteries Out of Landfills.

May 13, 2025 by By Cathy Stack

EDISON, New Jersey—A 10-year-old started a nationwide movement with a campaign to keep discarded batteries out of landfills.

After watching the news with his family and seeing a waste disposal plant fire that had been caused by a lithium-ion battery, Sri Nihal Tammana decided to do some research. He learned that people discard 15 billion batteries each year, and most end up in landfills. These batteries can create toxic chemical pollution and dangerous fires.

Motivated to tackle the environmental hazard, Sri Nihal began collecting batteries in his neighborhood. After recruiting volunteers to help, the effort soon laid the groundwork for developing a full-scale non-profit program.

When Sri Nihal began his environmental movement, he collected the batteries and then took them to a retail store that offered a recycling program. To his disappointment, the store notified him that he would have to discontinue his effort due to the bin’s limited capacity.

Determined to continue the program, Sri Nihal contacted Call2Recycle to form a partnership. Call2Recycle agreed to provide free, fire-proof recycling bins for school libraries and various business offices. Encouraged, Sri Nihal then contacted his school district’s superintendent for permission to place the bins in the school district’s 19 schools, which he received. Then he recruited students to volunteer their time to distribute the bins.

The program has now evolved into a non-profit organization, Recycle My Battery, which installs the battery recycling bins in strategic public places. To date, nearly 655,000 batteries have been deposited in these bins and kept out of landfills. The organization also educates millions about the importance of preventing environmental harm by recycling batteries.

“If I can make Earth a better place to live, you can!” encourages Sri Nihal. “If you can make Earth a better place to live, we all can!”

Battery recycling provides several environmental benefits. Keeping batteries out of landfills prevents harmful elements and chemicals, such as mercury and lead, from seeping into groundwater. Recycling these materials also conserves natural resources, which helps prevent further pollution from extraction processes. It also aids in the prevention of dangerous fires.

Recycle My Battery has grown to a team of 900 passionate student volunteers. There are 1,000 bins in schools, libraries, and businesses nationwide.

Students can start a school-based battery recycling challenge by signing up on the Recycle My Battery website. Individuals can also visit the website to request a battery recycling bin or to start a chapter in their own community.

“Earth gives us so much – oxygen, food, water – everything!”– so it’s important that we give something back when we can,” Sri Nihal said.

In 2022, Sri Nihal received the CNN Heroes Young Wonder Award for his work creating Recycle My Battery.

Now 16, he continues to spread the movement. Through media news outlets, school programs and corporate workshops, he increases public awareness about the program and its impact on the environment. He has delivered two TED talks in which he discusses the hazards of battery waste and solutions to address the problem. He and his team also set a Guinness World Record for laying out the longest line of batteries.

“Through education, innovation, and advocacy, I aim to mobilize millions more changemakers and ensure a cleaner, safer planet for future generations—one battery at a time,” said Sri Nihal.

The Foundation and PassItOn believe that Sri Nihal is a hero. His inspiring action is a great example of making a difference. His work provides a powerful reminder that through passion, dedication, and action, we can all make a positive change in the world.

Here is a link to learn more about this effort.

The good news is that a youngster started a movement to help reduce waste. The reason this is good news is recycled batteries are processed to recover valuable materials, including metals and plastics, which are then reused in new products, including new batteries. The process typically involves shredding, sorting, and then either melting or dissolving the components for materials recovery.  Today’s JohnKu talks about involvement. I hope you have a great weekend. Thanks again for this inspiring story, Monika.

Action by John W. Howell © 2025

Some curse the darkness,

Others take action for light . . .

Which side are we on?

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Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

81 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

  8. Sixteen years old and he set a Guinness world record and has given two TED talks. Quite the young man.
    I used to work in Edison and lived in a little town right next to it. Good to read about the old home state.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. That’s really good news, John, that a teen would work hard enough for recycling to found such a successful organization. Thanks for the heartwarming educational post, John.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. It is so inspiring when our youth decides to take matters into their own hands, educating not just those their age, but much older. Wonderful news. Thank you to Monika and to you for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. This IS remarkable! There was a recent news story where someone had tossed batteries into their trash, and the garbage truck caught on fire as a result… I could hardly believe that people don’t realize the dangers in this day and age. This story makes me smile and reminds me that we aren’t doomed to kill ourselves off as long as we have and follow examples such as this young one set!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Good news indeed! I think most people would recycle more it it were more convenient. I doubt there is not much battery recycling around here but I should check it out. We recycle all we can. Kudos to this young man!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. How wonderful!

    Sri’s recycling challenge has become a real deal helping the planet.

    My respects! Sometimes the ideals of youth are a necessary reminder to the older and jaded.

    An especially provocative JohnKu this week, thank you!

    🔋X 🪫X 🔋X 🪫X

    Liked by 1 person

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