Environment Minister kicks off Call2Recycle and Earth Rangers’ battery recycling contest in Ontario

Ontario Battery Blitz Collection Contest launch event with Minister David Piccini

Toronto, ON, – Call2Recycle and Earth Rangers kicked off the first Ontario edition of their Battery Blitz contest on Thursday March 2, 2023 with the help of the Honourable  David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks of Ontario. During an event  held at Saint Anthony Catholic Elementary School in Thornhill (ON), Minister Piccini and  Thornhill MPP Laura Smith impressed upon the school’s 240 students the active role they can  play in protecting their environment by recycling batteries. 

Ontario Battery Blitz Collection Contest launch event with Minister David Piccini

The Battery Blitz contest, organized twice a year with partner elementary schools across  Canada, encourages students to collect as many used batteries as possible over the contest  period. Winning schools with the highest battery collections receive a monetary prize that they  can use to fund environmental education and materials. Through this initiative, students can  form lifelong habits and play a positive role in managing their environment. 

The launch of the Battery Blitz contest in Ontario represents a major initiative in educating  consumers in Ontario and is part of Call2Recycle’s larger plan to drive battery recycling volume  in Ontario. The expansion into Ontario is a step up for the contest, with over 40 new schools  already signed up for the contest, and 60 more expected to participate this year. It illustrates a  major effort in the province to increase waste management and environmental protection, by  focusing on recycling at multiple levels – schools, municipalities or retailers. Call2Recycle is 

committed to help reach Ontario’s objective of collecting 3.5 million kilograms of used batteries  in 2023, through its extensive collection and recycling network.  

“Everyone can play a role in protecting our environment, which is why it’s especially inspiring to  see elementary school students take the lead in cleaning up their community through the  Battery Blitz Collection Contest,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation  and Parks. “This important initiative by Call2Recycle and Earth Rangers teaches students how  to recycle batteries, which helps reduce waste and litter, keeping our air, land and water clean  for future generations.” 

The contest has been active since 2016 and is already present in British Columbia,  Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island. In 2022, 53 Canadian elementary schools  participated in the contest, collecting over 13,700 kilograms of used batteries for recycling – the  equivalent of the weight of 30 grizzly bears. This long-term partnership between Earth Rangers  and Call2Recycle illustrates the leadership and commitment from both organizations in the field  of recycling and environmental protection. 

Ontario elementary schools interested in participating in the Battery Blitz contest are invited to  contact Earth Rangers at lgalati@earthrangers.com to sign up for the contest and participate in  the two editions of the contest in April and October 2023. 

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*