As the school year draws to a close, we’d like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of the schools participating in Encorp Atlantic’s Recycling Heroes in School program. Thanks to the commitment and ingenuity of students, teaching staff and Recycling Ambassadors, thousands of deposit-bearing beverage containers were collected and delivered to redemption centres for recycling.
The Year’s Five Top-Performing Schools
1. Académie Notre-Dame
Thanks to the ongoing commitment of its students and the outstanding work of its recycling ambassadors, Académie Notre-Dame has risen to the top of the rankings this year. Their strategy involved regular classroom visits to remind students about proper sorting procedures, supported by clear, visible posters. Académie Notre-Dame was awarded a hydroponic gardening kit for their achievements. Proof that education and consistency pay off!
2. Janeville Elementary School
Students and staff at Janeville Elementary School worked together to implement an effective sorting and collection strategy. Their commitment has not only kept the school clean, but has also raised awareness among an entire school community about eco-friendly practices. To reward their efforts, Janeville Elementary School received an Encorp Atlantic bike rack.
3. École Camille-Vautour
The ambassadors ensured efficient sorting by installing clearly identified bins in each classroom and in strategic areas of the school. The funds raised supported green projects and a school trip, combining environmental responsibility with enriching experiences for students. École Camille-Vautour was rewarded with an Encorp Atlantic bike rack.
4. Deer Island Community School
This small rural school took on a major challenge by creating a unique collection system: a shed built by students to serve both the school and the community. The results are visible: a clean site, easier logistics and exemplary mobilization. The collected beverage containers were then transported to the Charlotte County Can & Bottle redemption centre in St. George. The school was rewarded with a smart bird feeder equipped with a camera.
5. École Léandre-LeGresley
At Léandre-LeGresley, students, teachers, parents and community members rallied around the recycling of beverage containers. Recycling ambassadors were trained to ensure daily collection at the school, with rigorous sorting and clear signage. At the same time, a large community collection was organized, supported by effective promotion on social media. Thanks to this exemplary collaboration, the school was rewarded with an outdoor gardening kit.
Thanks to École Camille-Vautour and Janeville Elementary School for sending in photos of their Recycling Ambassadors with their prizes!
Honourable Mention: Participation Awards
Three other schools were selected to receive participation awards: Harry Miller Middle School, École Blanche-Bourgeois and St. Stephen Middle School. We are truly grateful for their dedication to recycling and their willingness to educate students about the environment.
An Exceptional Year in Numbers
This year, participating schools collectively brought in more than 900,000 deposit-bearing beverage containers for recycling, raising more than $90,000. The money was used to pay for school projects, field trips, supplies and green initiatives. Congratulations to all the students, teachers and ambassadors who contributed to this collective success!
New Resource to Come
Good news for the 2025–2026 school year: A new educational resource will be made available to middle schools. This tool will help teach students about the environment and beverage container recycling.
Recycling Heroes Are Counting on You This Summer
Until then, the Support Our Recycling Heroes campaign is continuing, all summer long. Community members can continue to donate their deposit-bearing beverage containers to participating schools by adding them to their school’s account at their local redemption centre. Schools would be able to receive the funds from these donations at the start of the next school year. For more information, click here.
The Program Resumes in the Fall
The Recycling Heroes in School program will resume in the fall. Schools wishing to register can do so at any time. You can find the form on our school web page. Participation is free, and the benefits are many!
Thanks again to all the schools for taking part. We hope you have a great summer, and we look forward to seeing you in September!
