At just 10 years old, Sri Nihal Tammana witnessed a TV report about a lithium-ion battery explosion at a California waste plant. Realizing the environmental dangers of discarded batteries—such as pollution, fire hazards, and toxic emissions—he took action. Sri Nihal founded Recycle My Battery (RMB), a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and providing easy solutions for battery recycling. Over the past five years, his initiative has evolved into a worldwide movement.
Since launching the campaign, Nihal has successfully helped recycle over 625,000 batteries, preventing hazardous waste from contaminating the environment. His efforts have educated approximately 40 million people through educational programs in schools, corporate workshops, and media outreach. Recognizing his impact, a German educational textbook now features his work, ensuring students across Germany learn about battery recycling.
A student at Monroe Township High School in New Jersey, Nihal stresses the urgency of his mission. Each year, around 15 billion batteries are discarded globally, with most ending up in landfills. This leads to environmental damage, fires, and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, only about 1% of people are aware of proper battery disposal methods, a statistic Nihal is determined to change.
Beyond spreading awareness, he has developed practical solutions. Nihal co-launched The Residual Charge Project, a prototype approved by the University of Waterloo to repurpose unused battery energy. He also initiated a Change.org petition, calling on battery manufacturers to fund recycling programs, which has garnered over 3,000 signatures.
Today, his organization boasts 900+ youth volunteers, with The Battery Challenge expanding to 30+ schools, aiming to recycle 300,000 batteries by year-end. More than 1,000 battery collection bins have been installed in schools, libraries, and businesses. His dedication has earned him global recognition, with features on CNN, BBC, TEDx, and awards such as the CNN Heroes Young Wonder and Diana Award.
Looking ahead, Nihal envisions RMB expanding globally. Partnerships in Germany and Australia are already in progress, with Australia’s B-cycle planning to install battery bins in schools nationwide. His ultimate goal is to make battery recycling a worldwide standard, ensuring a safer, cleaner future for generations to come.
