École Camille-Vautour stood out during the 2024-2025 school year as one of the top five schools in the Recycling Heroes in School program, returning an impressive 48,000 deposit-bearing beverage containers for recycling.
Under the committed supervision of their teachers, the student Recycling Ambassadors took their role to heart, leading a series of eco-responsible initiatives throughout the school. Thanks to their meticulous efforts, the containers were regularly transported by a teacher to the Saint-Antoine Bottle Exchange redemption centre.
Strategically Placed Bins and Well-Informed Students
The school set up several strategically located recycling bins throughout the building. Each classroom has its own bin, clearly identified with visuals showing which containers are accepted. Even the staff room and cafeteria are equipped with two large bins to accommodate the high traffic in these areas, demonstrating the involvement of the entire school community.
In collaboration with the Gaia Project, two full audits were carried out during the year. Following these audits, only two beverage containers were found in the wrong bins – a clear sign that students understand the instructions and are following best practices. These results are the product of extensive awareness-raising efforts by the ambassadors through presentations in the different classrooms, educational posters and frequent reminders. This ongoing dialogue also allows students to ask questions and better understand the issues involved in sorting.
The ambassadors regularly check the bins to correct recurring errors, such as applesauce containers that sometimes end up in the wrong place.
Green Ideas
With the money collected from returning beverage containers for recycling and the stipend received from Encorp, the school was able to purchase gardening equipment (shovels, rakes and composters), organize a school trip for Grade 8 students, and distribute educational prizes consisting of biodegradable bins for classrooms to observe the decomposition of waste. These bins also serve as a scientific tool, visually demonstrating how matter changes over time – an excellent way to instill ecological concepts in young people.
Some classes have even reused bottle caps for art projects, teaching them how to recycle and reuse!
A Model School for the Environment
École Camille-Vautour’s efforts don’t stop at collecting containers for recycling. They also include a community clean-up initiative to celebrate Earth Day. But, these Recycling Heroes don’t limit themselves to just one day. They celebrate the whole month of April, with activities on different themes, such as “recycle and beautify” or “recycle and reuse”, further reinforcing their eco-responsible culture. Thanks to their efforts, École Camille-Vautour achieved Platinum status in the EcoSchools program, giving them well-deserved recognition for their hard work.
Lastly, for their outstanding performance, the school received an award from Encorp: a bike rack, which will help encourage sustainable transportation.
École Camille-Vautour’s commitment proves that change starts in the classroom and extends into the home. Thanks to the Recycling Heroes in School program, a generation of eco-responsible students is emerging through concrete, sustainable actions.
Your School Can Also Raise Money by Collecting Beverage Containers!
École Camille-Vautour is just one of many schools participating in Encorp’s Recycling Heroes in School program, and yours could be part of the program, too! Collecting and returning deposit-bearing beverage containers is a fantastic way to raise extra funds for your school, and this program helps provide you with the supplies and support to make it easy.
Send us an application on our website to get your school started with beverage container recycling!
