Call2Recycle,聽in partnership with the Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) and Earth Rangers, is thrilled to share results from The Battery Blitz School contest. Involving seven Vermont schools, the contest brought in more than 4,000 pounds of batteries (equivalent to 15 black bears, native to VT) and spotlighted The Battery Blitz School Mission, which focuses on bringing together young students, teachers, and community members with the united act of collecting and recycling used batteries.
Running January 20, 2025 through February 18, 2025, participants included: Shelburne Community School, Underhill Central School, Williston Central School, Thomas Fleming School, Champlain Elementary School, Browns River Middle School, and C.P. Smith Elementary School. Underhill Central School collected the most batteries and won the ultimate prize鈥攁 classroom pizza party and $1,000 check. Champlain Elementary School 5th grade came in second place winning $750, third place was Thomas Fleming School winning $500 and fourth place went to C.P. Smith Elementary School 2nd grade winning $250.
Across the month-long contest period, students filled Call2Recycle collection boxes with used batteries found in remote controls, toys, flashlights and other household devices. A big part of the contest centered on the safe collection and handling of used batteries, which included collection directions for placing batteries in a clear plastic bag or covering the battery terminals with tape (electrical, duct, or packing) to prevent sparks during transport.
With the goal of teaching kids about the importance of recycling batteries and encouraging collection campaigns, The Battery Blitz combines classroom instruction and hands-on lessons with community engagement. As batteries are banned from landfills in Vermont, the contest presented an interactive opportunity to engage local youth in an accessible sustainability challenge. Students learned valuable insights about battery recycling鈥攊ncluding the impact of improper disposal on the environment鈥攁nd how their act of recycling batteries can turn old batteries into new products they use everyday like sunscreen and stainless steel appliances.
“Empowering local students to recycle batteries today means a cleaner planet tomorrow,鈥� shared Call2Recycle President & CEO Leo Raudys. 鈥淭he Battery Blitz contest exemplifies the power of community engagement and how small actions can lead to big environmental impact. Kudos to all of our participating schools for making a difference!”
“We are thrilled with the response of our students and schools involved in the Battery Blitz contest,” offered CSWD Executive Director Sarah Reeves. “This fun, hands-on sustainability initiative demonstrates how, by working together, we can reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and create a cleaner, greener community for future generations.”