Edison Teen Named Finalist In 2023 International Children’s Peace Prize

EDISON, NJ — Edison teen Sri Nihal Tammana was recently named a finalist for the 2023 International Children’s Peace Prize.

Popularly known as “battery boy” among his peers, the 14-year-old runs a youth-driven non-profit, Recycle My Battery. The non-profit works to keep batteries out of landfills and water supply. They manage collection bins all over the country and help educate people on how to properly dispose of batteries.

The International Children’s Peace Prize was launched in 2005 during the World Summit of Nobel Peace laureates in Rome, chaired by Mikhail Gorbachev.

Considered the most important and prestigious youth prize in the world, it is awarded annually to a child who has made a significant contribution to advocating children’s rights and improving the situation of vulnerable children, according to the organization.

Announcing the finalists, Marc Dullaert, Founder and Chair at KidsRights said, “This year has been extremely difficult for young people across the world. Yet the nominees for this year’s International Children’s Peace Prize award are a beacon of hope and an example to us all, demonstrating moral leadership and resilience by tackling the most pressing issues of our time.”

Tammana’s non-profit places battery recycling bins at schools, libraries, offices and at the local YMCA so people have easy access to disposal.

The organization has successfully collected more than 250,000 used batteries, keeping them away from landfills.

They have partnered with Call2Recyle, the largest battery recycling non-profit in the U.S. and Canada. With their help, Tammana’s non-profit has been able to place recycling bins at various locations across New Jersey and the country, the teen told Patch in an interview last year.

The batteries collected by Tammana’s organization are recycled to be turned into new batteries and other items.

Recycle My Battery is entirely run by volunteer school children.

The winner will receive the Nkosi statuette along with a study and care grant for their education. The recipient will also receive a project fund of €100.000, half of which will support the winner’s cause, and half invested by KidsRights in other projects of other young changemakers fighting for children’s rights.

The ceremony will take place Friday in the Palace of Whitehall, London.

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