Save batteries from the bin! In this activity, students learn why it’s important to recycle batteries, how to do it safely, and will create battery collection boxes to use to participate in a Battery Blitz at home.
Grades: K-6
Learning Objectives:
- Explain why used batteries should be recycled and how recycling helps protect the environment
- Demonstrate ways to take positive action to reduce waste and care for the planet
During this activity, students will:
- Learn why batteries need to be recycled and how to do it safely
- Share their learning with others
- Encourage battery collection at home
According to Statistics Canada, 55% of Canadians recycle their used batteries, while 23% throw them in the trash and 15% keep them at home. There’s still plenty of room for improvement—and your students can be part of the solution at home!
Materials:
- Empty small boxes or containers (e.g., tissue box, non-metal jar, or yogurt tub)
- Reused/scrap paper for labels
- Markers/crayons for decorating
- Tape or glue
Instructions
- Begin by talking about batteries. Ask students: “What do batteries do? Where do they go when they stop working? Why is it important to recycle batteries?”
Explain:
- Batteries help power things like toys, flashlights, and remotes
- When they stop working, we need to recycle them in a special recycling facility (not in our usual household recycling)
- If batteries go in the trash, the materials inside can leak into the ground and water, they can come in contact with metal and spark, or they can get crushed in garbage trucks and cause fires
- Battery recycling lets us reduce waste and use the special metals again. It also protects our communities
- Explain to the class that one way they can help is by participating in a Battery Blitz at home! All they have to do is safely collect batteries at home and bring them to a local drop-off location.
- Talk about rules for safe battery collection:
- Only collect small household batteries: C, D, A, AAA, button and 9V
- Don’t collect broken, swollen or leaking batteries
- Only adults should handle and move batteries
- Have an adult put electrical tape over the terminals of lithium and rechargeable batteries, and batteries over 9V to prevent sparks
- Keep batteries dry, away from heat and the sun, and out of reach of pets
- Have students create their own collection boxes using recycled craft materials. Make sure they include a sign that says: “Battery Blitz!”
- Have the students take their collection boxes home, along with an email for their parents/guardians (see sample in sidebar).
Next Step
As a follow up, discuss with your students:
- How many batteries did you collect?
- Was it easy or difficult to collect batteries?
- Did the people you talk to know why recycling batteries is important?
- What can we do at home to remind our families to recycle them?
Resources
- Locate your local battery drop off location (Recycle Your Batteries, Canada)
- Battery Collection Tips (Earth Rangers)
With the support of
