Two Canadian nonprofits add EV battery recycling to student learning program
Two Canadian nonprofit organizations, Plug’n Drive and Call2Recycle Canada, have announced a new partnership to introduce EV battery recycling education to young students.
Through the collaboration, Call2Recycle will join Plug’n Drive’s EV Awareness Student Learning Program, delivered in partnership with Skills Council of Canada, to introduce EV battery recycling education as part of Plug’n Drive’s ongoing youth-focused EV programming in grades seven through 12.
The program offers a curriculum-based instruction that integrates science, math, environmental studies, and history through presentations, hands-on activities, and demonstrations. A press release states that Call2Recycle provides information on responsible EV battery stewardship to support a cleaner, more sustainable future.
“As EV adoption continues to grow across the country, educators and policymakers recognize a unique opportunity to prepare young Canadians to participate in and lead the transition to a low-carbon transportation system,” the release states. “Plug’n Drive, widely recognized for its EV education leadership, works in collaboration with Skills Council of Canada to deliver accessible EV learning experiences to students.
“Adding EV battery recycling messaging through this partnership ensures that youth understand the full lifecycle of EV batteries, from responsible use to safe end-of-life management. This includes education on the EV battery journey through the 5Rs pathways — repair, remanufacturing, resale as is, repurposing, or direct to recycling — in the developing EV sector.”
Joe Zenobio, President and CEO at Call2Recycle Canada, adds, “Providing Canadians, particularly youth, with trusted, science-based information on battery recycling is fundamental to advancing a circular energy future — especially within the growing and evolving EV landscape. By partnering with Plug’n Drive, we are empowering the next generation of leaders with the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to make environmentally responsible choices and champion sustainability for years to come.”
Call2Recycle will integrate comprehensive battery recycling concepts across diverse battery categories into Plug’n Drive’s educational resources, with a dedicated focus on EVs, including digital learning modules, hands-on demonstrations, and youth engagement tools. The release says the content will help students understand the various EV pathways and how EV batteries are collected, transported, and processed in Canada, and how valuable materials recovered from end-of-life batteries can be reintroduced into the supply chain.
“Teaching students about responsible battery management reinforces the importance of circularity and equips them to be thoughtful stewards of our environment,” said Cara Clairman, Plug’n Drive president and CEO, in the release.
The release adds that the partnership, supported by the Skills Council of Canada, represents an important step in preparing the next generation with the knowledge, environmental awareness, and skills required to participate in the future clean transportation workforce.
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Featured image provided by Plug’n Drive