At first glance, it's just an eleven-kilogram box. In reality, it contains hundreds of used batteries that will never end up in landfill, but instead begin a new life through recycling.
Last week, Bukovel delivered for recycling its first batch of batteries. Next comes a long journey: storage, packaging, shipment to Europe, and recycling at a specialised facility.
This milestone was made possible thanks to our employees and everyone who used the battery collection point at the Bukovel Tour Centre.
Thank you to everyone who contributed!
Why does it matter?
A used battery is far more than ordinary waste. It contains substances that can leak into the environment and cause serious harm to nature if disposed of improperly.
According to environmental estimates, a single AA unit can contaminate up to 16 square metres of soil or around 400 litres of water. That is why collecting batteries separately and sending them for specialised recycling is so important.
What happens next?
After collection, the batteries are delivered to a licensed recycling partner, where they are stored together with batteries collected across Ukraine. Once enough have been accumulated, they are transported to a specialised recycling facility in Romania.
There, they go through several processing stages, including sorting, shredding, and the recovery of valuable materials.
And this is where the story becomes even more interesting: the batteries don't simply disappear.
From one tonne of used batteries, recyclers can recover:
- 288 kg of manganese;
- 240 kg of zinc;
- 47 kg of graphite.
These recovered materials are used in healthcare, manufacturing, engineering, and the production of new products. Some may even become part of new batteries. In other words, what could have become hazardous waste is turned into a valuable resource.
Small steps create meaningful change
Eleven kilograms of batteries will not change the world overnight. But lasting change always starts with small actions.
We will continue collecting used batteries and expanding environmental initiatives across the resort. It is encouraging to see more guests, partners, and employees embracing responsible waste management together with us.
So the next time one of your batteries runs out, remember: it is not the end of its story. It is the beginning of a new journey – and a new life as a valuable resource.