The 'Recharging the Earth' project is funded through SANYO and the European Regional Development Fund.  OASES developed the project in 2009 for the County Durham Development Company and SANYO as part of Project C, the NETPark community outreach programme, designed to engage with local schools, community groups and third sector organisations to highlight the benefits of innovative science and technology to the north east region.

This innovative project engaged 10 secondary and over 40 primary schools from across County Durham over a two year period. At the end of each year the project concludes with a ‘Future Planets’ event.  The primary focus of the project is to raise awareness of the need to live sustainable lifestyles and recycle and re-charge batteries.

In 2009-10 OASES worked with 3 secondary schools and their partner primary schools across County Durham in the first year. The secondary teachers were trained and supported to develop and deliver the 'Recharging the Earth' project in their schools.  Each teacher then identified one of their classes to be prepared to deliver the project within the secondary school’s cluster primaries.

Supported by OASES and their secondary pupil representatives the primary schools were assisted to set up their own battery recycling scheme.  The primary school that collected the most batteries by weight/pupil won a lifetime supply of SANYO, Eneloop rechargable batteries.  This part of the project was supported by the DCC Strategic Waste Management Team and collections were undertaken by Valpak.

The 'Future Planets Project' challenged the primary pupils to contemplate the importance of making sustainable choices and the possible consequences of not doing.  Supported by primary staff, OASES and the secondary pupils, the primary children produced a piece of work that reflected their ideas on the future of the planet in 25 years time from now under two scenarios... A future governed by sustainable choices and a future that is not.  The primaries entered their submission into a competition to win a solar installation for their school. Winners from Year 1

In 2010-11 a further 7 secondary schools and their cluster primary schools were supported. This years schools really embraced the project and produced some fantastic work. Winners from Year 2.

Legacy Work

Recharging the Earth has now come to an end but two projects have developed from this one. All schools in County Durham are being encouraged to engage in a Battery Recycling Project being coordinated by the DCC Strategic Waste Team in conjunction with Valpak. For more information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Secondly a drama project will be working with three secondary schools to develop creative performances linked to the issues of sustainability which will be performed in Durham in the spring 2012.

The Embedding the Benefits of Innovation in Disadvantaged Communities’ project is part financed by the European Union’s ERDF Competitiveness programme 2007-13, securing £0.49m of ERDF investment through the Regional Development Agency One NorthEast.  The ERDF programme is bringing over £250m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region. This project has received funding from Durham County Council through County Durham Development Company.