Student learning program incorporates EV battery recycling education

Plug'n Drive, a national non-profit organization accelerating Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption across Canada, and Call2Recycle Canada, the country's leading battery collection and recycling organization, have entered into a new partnership to introduce EV battery recycling education to youth.

Through this 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 across grades 7 to 12. The EV Awareness Student Learning Program offers a curriculum-based instruction that integrates science, math, environmental studies, and history through presentations, hands-on activities, and demonstrations. Call2Recycle provides information on responsible EV battery stewardship to support a cleaner, more sustainable future.

EV batteries pose a large recycling challenge in Canada 

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. 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.

Through the partnership, 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 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.

"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," said Joe Zenobio, president and CEO at Call2Recycle Canada. "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."

"For 15 years, Plug'n Drive has worked to help Canadians understand the environmental and economic benefits of driving electric vehicles," said Cara Clairman, President and CEO of Plug'n Drive. "Our partnership with Call2Recycle brings an important piece of the EV transition directly into our youth programming. Teaching students about responsible battery management reinforces the importance of circularity and equips them to be thoughtful stewards of our environment."

Skills Council of Canada supports the delivery of the EV Awareness Student Learning Program by connecting education, industry, and workforce development priorities. Through partnerships that expand access to hands-on, curriculum-aligned learning, Skills Council of Canada helps prepare students for emerging careers in clean technology and the skilled trades, building the knowledge, skills, and environmental awareness needed for the workforce of the future.

"At Skills Council of Canada, we focus on expanding access to future-ready learning connected to real-world skills," said Kate O'Neil, vice president, Skills Council of Canada. "Integrating EV battery recycling education helps students understand both the technology and the environmental responsibility behind clean transportation."

This new Plug'n Drive and Call2Recycle partnership, supported by 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.