The Sophiasburgh Spartans have shown their might and that they care about their environment.

The public school near Demorestville was first among nearly 90 elementary schools in Ontario in Call2Recycle’s 2024 Spring Battery Blitz. Members from Canada’s leading battery collection and recycling organization along with Mayor Steve Ferguson and Sophiasburgh Councillor Bill Roberts attended the school to present the award to the student body. The school collected 821 kg worth of batteries, 300 kg more than the second place school, Princess Anne French Immersion Public School in London.

Sophiasburgh Central School Principal Carla McFarlane said student enthusiasm shows that even small actions, like properly disposing of batteries, can have a huge impact on protecting our environment.

“By working together, Spartans are making a positive environmental impact and teaching the next generation the value of sustainability and responsibility.”

Call2Recycle and Earth Rangers have been partnering since 2015 to run the Battery Blitz Contest, collecting over 100,000 kg of used batteries across Canada. The contest offers a fun and interactive opportunity for local elementary school students to learn about how battery recycling helps protect the environment. Students compete with other schools, collecting as many used batteries as possible over a month.

Top performing schools earn a cash prize earmarked for educational materials, experiences, or technology.

“I’m proud to see Sophiasburgh Central be an example of environmental commitment among Ontario schools,” the Mayor stated. “By showing how to responsibly manage waste such as used batteries, we encourage all our residents to make sustainable choices and lead the way to making Prince Edward County a truly sustainable community.”

In total, participating elementary schools across Canada collected 11,000 kg of spent batteries.

Schools across various provinces, including Ontario, participated in the 2024 Fall edition of the Battery Blitz Contest through October, and schools interested in signing up for the next 2025 edition can contact Earth Rangers at  [email protected] .