10 Canadian Schools Improve Recycling Efforts with CCC’s Support

Ten elementary and high schools across the country received approximately $35,000 in grants following a call for projects issued earlier this year in Canada and the United States by the Carton Council.

To be eligible, projects had to involve the launch, expansion or enhancement of recovery programs for recyclables, including food and beverage cartons like drink boxes and milk cartons. The grants of up to $5,000 each could be used to cover part or all of the project cost. Nine projects in U.S.-based schools were also selected.

The 10 awardee schools in Canada are:

• Drake School, Saskatchewan
• École Blanche-Bourgeois, New Brunswick
• École Marie-Assomption, Québec
• Externat Saint-Cœur de Marie, Québec
• Holy Trinity Catholic School, Saskatchewan
• New Horizons School, Alberta
• The NEW School, Ontario
• Tommy Douglas Collegiate, Saskatchewan
• Vancouver Waldorf School, British Columbia
• West Credit Secondary School, Ontario

As part of its project, the Drake School in Saskatchewan launched a student-led “Green Leaders” club to ensure the long-term success of its collection efforts. Photo: Drake School.

The selected projects testify to concrete commitments by schools to improve recovery rates for containers and other recyclables both within their walls and in the wider community. The funds awarded for these initiatives are earmarked among other things for the purchase of recycling bins; the set-up of sorting and liquid dumping stations; the production of posters, guides and other information and awareness documents; the organization of events, contests, visits of material recovery facilities, and training sessions; as well as the conducting of characterization studies and other evaluation measures.

For Erin Richard, Principal of the Drake School, the school’s project “gives students hands-on opportunities to learn about sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the importance of reducing waste,” while helping to create cleaner spaces. She adds that the CCC grant is allowing the school to position itself as a leader in sustainability and positive environmental action as it engages its community in working toward a greener future.

The binational School Grant Program has replaced the Community Education Award program, which the CCC conducted from 2021 to 2024 in a number of Canadian provinces. Under that program, grants totalling more than $100,000 were awarded to 51 municipalities and organizations involved in collection and in recycling awareness.

Earlier this year, the CCC also awarded $5,000 to nine Canadian schools following a grant competition run by EcoSchools Canada.