Swap batteries for plants - Small actions, big meaning

In recent days, at 1891 Hung Vuong Street, Gia Cam Ward, Viet Tri City, the "Exchange Batteries for Trees" activity has been taking place, attracting the participation and support of many people. This is a meaningful social project implemented by a group of individuals passionate about environmental protection.

The "Exchange Batteries for Trees" project has attracted the attention and support of many people, especially young people.

For a long time, many types of chemical waste, such as discarded batteries, have not been properly sorted and collected in the community. Listed as hazardous waste, batteries contain many heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. Untreated discarded batteries can directly affect human health and pose a potential threat to the environment.

Driven by a desire to contribute their small actions to raising awareness of environmental protection in the community, a group of environmentally passionate individuals launched the "Exchange Batteries for Trees" project in Viet Tri city.

Mr. Vu Quoc Thai, a member of the project, shared: “About 10 years ago, someone in our group happened to read an article about the harmful effects of discarded batteries on human health and the environment. We started researching, participating in battery collection programs, and spreading the word to our relatives and friends. We noticed that recently, some organizations have been holding battery collection drives, but these activities have been intermittent and not consistently maintained. Since there are no battery exchange points in Viet Tri city, we came up with the idea to build this project. Instead of throwing away used batteries, people collect them and bring them here to exchange for green plants. This helps people better understand the harmful effects of discarded batteries and contributes to forming a habit of disposing of batteries in a more useful way.”

Young people are delighted with the results of their battery swapping project.

From the initial idea, the group began to take action. At the battery exchange point, for every 10 batteries of any type, anyone participating can exchange them for one succulent plant. Starting operations on January 1, 2025, after just over a week of activity, the group had received hundreds of discarded batteries, exchanging them for over 300 succulent plants. The collected batteries are sorted and sent to specialized units for processing and recycling according to proper procedures.

With its meaningful message, the battery exchange point quickly attracted attention and received a positive response from people of all ages, from adults to students, and many young children were also brought to the exchange point by their parents to participate in this meaningful activity.

For every 10 batteries of any type, you can exchange them for a lovely succulent plant.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy (Trung Vuong commune, Viet Tri city) shared: “I learned about this activity through friends. Today I brought my daughter to participate. I think this is a very meaningful activity, not only helping family members form the habit of sorting waste at the source, but also an effective way to educate children about their responsibility towards nature and the environment.”

Based on the initial success, the Project team plans to expand to four more battery swapping points in the city in the near future and add more types of greenery to increase their attractiveness. At the same time, they are calling for support from philanthropists and environmental organizations to ensure the battery swapping points operate regularly.

A seemingly small but meaningful act like collecting discarded batteries in exchange for trees will contribute to environmental protection and spread "green" actions in the community.

Thuy Phuong

Source: https://baophutho.vn/doi-pin-lay-cay-hanh-dong-nho-y-nghia-lon-226250.htm