BY AJAY GHOSH
Monroe, NJ, March 18, 2025: “Read the article again. What are the problems with batteries? What did Sri Nihal and his friends do to help solve these problems? What did you learn about Sri Nihal and his project from the article? Sri Nihal had a vision. Look at the four levels of action on page 85. Which level has Sri Nihal reached with his organization? Discuss it in class.”
These are part of a German educational textbook by Westermann Verlag, which includes a lesson on the efforts of 15-year-old Sri Nihal Tammana, an Indian-American student from New Jersey, and thought-provoking questions for students to reflect upon in class and exams.
The story of Sri Nihal’s global battery recycling movement began when he was just 10 years old. After watching a news report about a lithium-ion battery explosion at a waste disposal plant in California, Sri Nihal learned about the severe environmental hazards caused by improper battery disposal. “Determined to make a difference, I founded Recycle My Battery (RMB), a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating communities and making battery recycling more accessible. Over the past five years, my initiative has grown into a global movement,” says Sri Nihal proudly.
In the five years since launching his movement, Sri Nihal has played a key role in recycling over 625,000 batteries, preventing hazardous waste from polluting landfills. He has also helped educate 40 million people through school programs, corporate workshops, and media outreach.
Recognizing his dedication to protecting the environment, Sri Nihal’s work has been included in a German textbook. “I’m featured in a lesson in the Westermann Verlag textbook, which contains questions for students. This ensures that students across Germany learn about battery recycling as part of their curriculum, further amplifying my impact,” he explains.
A student at Monroe Township High School in Monroe, New Jersey, Sri Nihal emphasizes the importance of his cause: “Each year, approximately 15 billion batteries are discarded globally, most of which end up in landfills. This can lead to catastrophic fires, dangerous chemical pollution, and contribute to climate change through the release of greenhouse gases.”
Sri Nihal aims to raise awareness about the environmental dangers of discarded batteries while also working towards sustainable solutions for the future. “Did you know that only around 1% of people are aware of proper battery disposal? That’s something that needs to change,” he says.
In addition to his advocacy efforts, Sri Nihal helped launch the Residual Charge Project, a prototype approved by the University of Waterloo that repurposes unused battery energy for recycling plants. To support and expand his initiative, Sri Nihal created a Change.org petition calling for battery manufacturers to fund recycling programs, which has garnered over 3,000 signatures so far.
His movement has now enlisted over 900 youth volunteers, empowering students to become changemakers. The Battery Challenge has expanded to over 30 schools, with a goal of recycling 300,000 batteries by the end of the year. Furthermore, over 1,000 free battery bins have been placed in schools, libraries, and businesses.
Sri Nihal’s efforts have earned him recognition, with his nonprofit organization, RMB, receiving numerous awards. He has been featured on major media platforms like CNN, BBC, TEDx, and others, helping to spread awareness worldwide.
To date, Sri Nihal has received more than 75 national and international accolades, including the CNN Heroes Young Wonder Award, a top-3 finalist position for the International Children’s Peace Prize, the Diana Award, and the Barron Prize.
These honors have only strengthened his resolve. “They told me it’s a really cool initiative, and encouraged me to keep going and saving Mother Earth. They said I was doing great work and should continue,” Sri Nihal shares.
Sri Nihal’s work is now garnering international support. Australia is in the process of partnering with RMB, with B-cycle working to place battery bins in all schools across the country.
Looking ahead, Sri Nihal has big plans. “I want to expand RMB globally, ensuring that every school, community, and country has access to battery recycling solutions. With the success of The Battery Challenge, my partnerships in Germany and Australia, and my growing policy advocacy, I am working to make battery recycling a worldwide standard.” He believes, “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.”
Sri Nihal plans to major in environmental science in college and eventually create his own eco-friendly battery. “I want to study physics and chemistry to understand the environmental impacts, like climate change. With this knowledge, I hope to invent a battery with zero harmful chemicals that can be safely thrown away. It will be sustainable, high-performing, and good for the environment. I’ll use what I learn in engineering and environmental science to benefit us all.”
Sri Nihal is a powerful reminder that anyone can create a better world through passion, perseverance, and action.
He lives in Monroe, NJ, with his father Vamsi, mother Deepika, and younger sister Nithya, all of whom actively support the Recycle My Battery campaign. Sri Nihal is committed to his organization’s motto: “If I can make Earth a better place to live, you can! If you can make Earth a better place to live, we all can!”
