Tienen (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Villa Pila in Tienen has educated over 35,000 students from 1,000 primary schools since 2010, focusing on battery recycling. Nele Peters from Bebat emphasizes teaching youth about battery usage and recycling habits for a sustainable future.
Villa Pila, the House of the Battery in Tienen, has been an important educational center since it opened in 2010. Over the past 15 years, it has welcomed more than 1,000 primary schools and 35,000 students, teaching them how to sort and recycle batteries in a fun way. With the shift from regular batteries to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones and electric vehicles, Villa Pila has updated its exhibits and materials to stay relevant. A complete renovation was carried out to reflect these changes and to align its educational mission with today’s recycling challenges.
What new exhibits and interactive activities does Villa Pila in Tienen offer for battery education?
Villa Pila has been updated with new exhibits that show the latest battery technologies, their impact on the environment, and new recycling methods. There are fun interactive tools like digital screens and hands-on activities for young visitors to learn. The facility highlights the importance of battery recycling for a sustainable future and connects these lessons to larger global issues. With improved spaces for workshops and activities, Villa Pila aims to inspire future generations to be more environmentally friendly and continue its role as a leader in educating about sustainability.
Villa Pila has introduced a new battery wall that showcases over 100 types of batteries, from old ones that are 220 years old to a new electric car battery. There’s also a new film about recycling, and students can try making a battery with a lemon. Nele Peters from Bebat says it’s important to teach young people about how batteries work and what happens to them, as they will be the adults who pass on good recycling habits to future generations.
