F.J. McElligott wins 12th annual household batteries collection competition

Greater Nipissing Stewardship Council
News Release

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Over 2,300 high school students from 7 area high schools took part in this year’s 12th annual collection competition. A grand total of 2997.9 kg (over 5,066 lbs) of all types of household batteries were collected over an 8-week period in April and May.

This year’s prizes went to the top 3 schools that collected the greatest weight of used batteries per student. Prizes ranged from $400 to $300, with each participating school receiving $100.

This year’s winners are…

Greatest Total Weight/Student

F.J. McElligott Secondary School 8.1 kg/student

École Secondaire Publique Odyssée 2.4 kg/student

Nbisiing Secondary School 2.3 kg/student

The other participating schools included: St. Joseph-Scollard Hall, Northern, West Ferris and Widdifield.

The competition was co-organized by the Stewardship Council, Nipissing Environmental Watch and Greening Nipissing.

Since its inception over 44,797 kg of dead batteries have been diverted from local landfill sites. Batteries are a key source of hazardous waste that contain heavy metals and other chemicals such as acid, cadmium, mercury, copper, zinc, lead, manganese, nickel and lithium – all of which are very harmful to the environment.

This may have been the final competition due to funding and an overall decrease in school participation, however, the organizers are confident it will continue to have a positive impact on local recycling efforts. Individuals can drop off their household batteries and other hazardous materials year-round at the City of North Bay’s Recycling Depot.

For a complete breakdown by school for this year’s competition, visit www.greaternipissing.ca.

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