Call2Recycle Canada Partners with The Gaia Project to Expand Battery Recycling Education in New Brunswick

Call2Recycle Canada has partnered with The Gaia Project to roll out battery recycling education programs across schools in New Brunswick, aiming to increase awareness alongside the expansion of collection infrastructure, according to industry reports.

The initiative builds on the launch of Call2Recycle’s “Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!” program in the province earlier this year. While the organization continues to grow its collection network, the new partnership focuses on embedding recycling knowledge into classrooms through structured, curriculum-linked activities.

The Gaia Project, a New Brunswick-based nonprofit with more than 15 years of experience in environmental education, works with over 250 schools and reaches around 70,000 students and educators annually. Under the partnership, battery recycling content will be introduced in approximately 30 schools during the first year.

The program will include hands-on learning modules covering battery recycling practices, environmental and safety risks associated with improper disposal, and the role of recycling in circular material systems. Outreach efforts will also extend to teachers and local communities through digital campaigns and school-led initiatives.

Joe Zenobio, president and chief executive of Call2Recycle Canada, said expanding access to recycling services must be matched by increased public awareness to drive participation. Geoff MacDonald added that engaging students in practical environmental topics can help build long-term behavioral change.

The partnership will begin with a pilot phase in the 2026–2027 school year, with plans to scale based on results. Activities will include classroom programming, educator engagement and a community event tied to battery recycling participation.

Battery collection programs in Canada have expanded in recent years, but participation rates vary by region. Industry groups increasingly view education and outreach as necessary complements to infrastructure investment, particularly for small-format batteries that are often improperly discarded.

Source: Call2Recycle

SUNSHINE Spotlight: Battery recycling programs are pairing infrastructure expansion with education efforts to improve participation and long-term collection rates.