Children who recycled electrical equipment were rewarded with a summer camp in the mountains
Children who spend a lot of time in nature are less dependent on screens and, as adults, are likely to behave more responsibly toward the environment, according to a study by researchers from Cornell University and Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg.
The theory was put to the test at “Baterel Camp”, the summer camp in Săcele (Brașov) offered in August to students who recycled the largest amount of electrical and electronic equipment and proved to be the most engaged in nature protection activities within the “Baterel, the Recycling Hero” campaign organized by the Environ Association.
For the 60 students who came to the camp, the most valuable reward was the time spent in the heart of nature and the conviction that they didn’t get there by chance, but because they helped protect it in a concrete way by recycling.
“All the activities were really fun, we spent a lot of time outdoors and learned tons of new things. What I liked most was when we built a habitat for bears.” – said Irina, 9 years old, “Baterel Camp” participant.
“A child who learns to be tidy and consistent about recycling will also pay more attention to homework, be more organized in class, and more motivated in group projects. ‘Baterel, the Recycling Hero’ gave children the chance to feel that they too can change the world for the better,” said Ionela Părău, teacher at Secondary School No. 113, Bucharest.
“Many times, after a simple hike in nature, children come back with new ideas about how to better protect the green space in the school yard, how to recycle electrical waste; they become more cooperative and persistent and want to repeat these experiences even outside school,” added teacher Elena Roșca from Secondary School No. 1, Drăgușeni.
“After 5 days in which we forgot about phones, tablets, and headphones, we all agreed that no screen, clip, or photo can capture the beauty and calm of a natural landscape. In a culture where most adults expect to get something in return for recycling, ‘Baterel’ shows us year after year that care and respect for nature must be unconditional,” said Ana Maria Rădulescu, Environ project manager.
Two schools from Galați, champions in WEEE recycling
Two of the three winning schools of the “Baterel, the Recycling Hero” campaign are from Galați: “Ștefan cel Mare” Secondary School and Secondary School No. 1, Drăgușeni, Galați County. It is the first time in the campaign’s 14-year history that multiple winners come from the same area. The third winner was Secondary School No. 113 from Bucharest.
Together, students from the three schools handed in over 5,000 kg of waste electrical and electronic equipment for recycling. The most common waste types were printers, phones, tablets, computers, and other used electrical devices.
Registrations for the 2025–2026 edition of the national campaign “Baterel, the Recycling Hero”
Teachers and students from across the country are invited to take part in the 15th edition of the national campaign “Baterel, the Recycling Hero,” dedicated to children at all educational levels and carried out with the support of the Ministry of Education and Research.
The program includes separate collection of electrical waste and used batteries, interactive lessons about recycling, and a series of themed challenges, rewarding children’s involvement with products from the Baterel collection, equipment for schools, and the grand prize: a summer camp.
Information and pre-registrations at magazinbaterel.ro or by email at baterel@baterel.ro
