Wooden bus battery boxes to be given fresh lease of life thanks to new Wrightbus scheme
Wooden battery boxes used in the production of zero-emissions battery electric buses by leading manufacturer Wrightbus are being given a new lease of life, thanks to a new project which aims to teach school pupils and members of the community about sustainability.
The Ballymena-based firm are working with local schools with a view of teaching children about the importance of recycling by giving away their battery boxes for them to be repurposed into planters and raised flower beds for their school’s eco-gardens.
Schools that have already pledged to get involved in the scheme include Ballymoney High School, Gracehill Primary School, Fourtowns Primary School and Dunclog College.
As well as receiving the boxes, schools will also receive an information pack on the work of Wrightbus and the impact their zero-emissions buses have on the environment.
Jena Archer, Health, Safety and Environmental Officer at Wrightbus, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to know that our wooden battery boxes are being repurposed in such a positive way, and in turn, educating our local young people on the importance of reducing waste, while also reducing our waste stream.
“We can’t wait to see how the beds turn out, whether schools decide to fill them with vegetables to grow their own or if they decide to fill them with flowers, which will bloom beautifully by the spring.”
A number of local businesses and charities have also expressed an interest in the scheme. Last month Praxis Care collected a number of the boxes to repurpose them as planters for garden projects at their centre in Portadown. Praxis Care is a charity that is dedicated to supporting individuals with mental ill health, learning disabilities, autism and dementia.
Mid & East Antrim Borough Council has also collected a number of the boxes to support its own community projects.
Sharon Wilkinson, Head of Health, Safety, Environmental & Facilities at Wrightbus, said: “We are immensely proud of this new initiative, which absolutely aligns with Wrightbus’s values. Given that our company slogan is ‘driving a greener future’ and the commitment we have to improving our impact on the environment, this project seems completely fitting.
“A big thank you to local schools and other local organisations, including Mid & East Antrim Borough Council and Praxis Care, who have shown a real eagerness and interest in the scheme already.”
Carly Ogilvie, Sustainable Food Coordinator at Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, said: “We have been working in partnership with Men's Shed Carrickfergus, and they will be repurposing the boxes for Carrickfergus Manor Nursing Home.
“We secured funding with Mencap, and along with Extern and Kikcreggan Base, we will work to build an outside growing space for residents suffering with dementia. The boxes will be used as raised beds to grow their own veggies.”
Read more
NewPower secures first order from First Bus just weeks after launch
Read onWrightbus has contributed more than £1.5 billion to the UK economy
Read on100 zero emission electric buses for Translink propels green growth for Northern Ireland
Read onWrightbus unveils plan for European growth after incredible start to 2024
Read onVierter Deal in Deutschland: Cottbusverkehr ordert 46 Wasserstoffbusse von Wrightbus
Read onWrightbus helps Irish city to become one of the first to deploy fully electric bus service
Read onFirst Bus launches all-electric fleet depot after investing in Wrightbus’s ZE buses
Read onWrightbus sichert sich neuen Auftrag für 28 Wasserstoffbusse
Read onWrightbus secures new deal to deliver zero-emission buses to London
Read onShadow Northern Ireland Secretary hails green innovation at Wrightbus
Read onOxford continues charge to net zero with launch of Wrightbus’s fully electric buses
Read onWrightbus secures further orders with transport operator Abellio
Read onNorthern Ireland Minister hails green innovation at Wrightbus
Read onWrightbus’s zero-emission vehicles set to hit the streets of Norwich
Read onWrightbus lands significant order for hydrogen-powered buses from Germany
Read onPreparations gather pace for roll out of Wrightbus’s zero-emission buses in Oxford
Read onWrightbus’s first ever double-deck electric ‘low bridge’ buses launched in Leicester
Read onWrightbus secures new deal to deliver zero emission buses to London
Read onUniversity students on the fast track to success thanks to Wrightbus racing car sponsorship
Read onArriva London makes further commitment to delivering a sustainable bus network across London.
Read onFunding Award For Ballymena Hydrogen Production Facility at Wrightbus Site
Read onWrightbus secures new deal to deliver zero emission buses to Leicester
Read on£25 million to boost roll-out of British-made green buses around the country
Read onRecruitment Evening Encourages More Women Into The Workplace
Read onTransport Secretary hails hydrogen bus production at Wrightbus
Read onPlans announced for state-of-the-art green hydrogen project at Wrightbus Ballymena
Read onFostering is next stop for Norman after 30 years at Wrightbus
Read onMetroline places order with Wrightbus for zero-emissions buses
Read onGLASGOW OPEN TOP BUSES WILL SOON BE ONE OF THE GREENEST TOURS IN THE WORLD
Read onTranslink signs contract with Wrightbus for 100 new Zero Emission buses
Read onWrightbus showcasing benefits of Hydrogen at Labour & Conservative Conferences
Read onWrightbus to supply hydrogen cell technology to leading Australian bus operator
Read onFirst Bus places one of UK’s largest ever EV bus orders with Wrightbus
Read onWrightbus staff form Guard of Honour in tribute to founder Sir William Wright
Read onWrightbus announced as Ballymena United sponsors for next two football seasons
Read onNew Sales Director for Parts & Services joins the Wrightbus team
Read onNTA Announces Historic Agreement for 800 Battery-Electric Double-Deck Buses
Read onWrightbus signs landmark deal with Australia’s leading bus body manufacturer Volgren
Read onWrightbus Electroliner Officially World’s Most Efficient Double Deck Battery-Electric Bus
Read onThe first Wrightbus Electroliners set to enter passenger service in Belfast
Read onRecruitment drive continues at leading bus manufacturer Wrightbus
Read onHydrogen-powered buses on the streets of the West Midlands for the first time.
Read onMallon unveils the first in Ireland Battery Electric Double Decker Bus for Public Transport
Read onFortescue Future Industries joins hand with JCB and Ryze Hydrogen
Read onWrightbus prevents one million kgs of CO2 from entering the atmosphere
Read onThe UK Hydrogen Roadshow shines spotlight on low carbon hydrogen innovation
Read onWrightbus creates hundreds of permanent jobs as bus orders flood in
Read onMinister Poots visits Wrightbus to discuss its plans for green hydrogen economy
Read on