GoRecycle partners with the Réseau des CFER to raise environmental awareness

What if young people at high risk of dropping out became the real agents for the future of environmental change?

Thanks to innovative initiatives, raising awareness of recycling and sustainable development is becoming an important lever for promoting environmentally responsible behaviour, while contributing to the personal growth of youth who are often left out of the school system.

Read on to find out how GoRecycle and the Réseau des CFER are teaming up to share crucial knowledge with citizens and the youth population, while allowing students confronting academic and social challenges to excel.

CFER Val-des-Sources student Zachary and his teacher Patrick Poulin explain the objectives of the Caravane de la récupération to members of the Chambre de Commerce et d’Entrepreneuriat des Sources.

A partnership for a better future: the Réseau des CFER and GoRecycle

The Réseau des CFER (Centres de formation en entreprise et récupération) is a key player in the fight against school drop-out and in the promotion of recycling. The Réseau, which includes 22 schools + businesses across Quebec, is committed to preparing young people aged 15 to 21, who are often lagging behind academically, to enter the working world, while offering them hands-on training in sustainable development sectors.

Over a 3- to 6-year program, CFER students develop the skills required for all kinds of jobs in real businesses integrated into their secondary schools. These companies manage business activities in recycling, material recovery and waste management. The entirety of the income generated by the CFER non-profit organizations (NPOs) is reinvested in educational and training projects for these students.

The Réseau des CFER mission is clear: to lower school drop-out rates, offer valuable training and prepare students for a successful working life. The Réseau, in partnership with GoRecycle and several other PROs (producer responsibility organizations), takes things further by giving students an active role in raising awareness on recycling and environmental issues, while offering them real tools they can use to change their life path.

A collaboration with numerous benefits

GoRecycle, the only recognized organization for recycling household cooling appliances, is a key partner in the missions of CFERs. Through this collaboration, GoRecycle helps raise awareness among young people and the general public on the importance of responsible appliance recycling, while also highlighting the efforts of students who take part in CFER caravan initiatives.

The CFER caravans are an essential awareness-raising tool. Young people from the CFERs travel to various regions to offer practical and interactive workshops on waste management, recycling and environmentally friendly habits.

They play an active role in the workshops, leading talks, quizzes, escape games and other entertaining activities designed to educate the public on important environmental issues. Thanks to this interactive education, young people can gain confidence in oral presentations and acquire social interaction skills.

Noémie, Samuelle, Derreck and Philippe, students at CFER des Navigateurs, before an EnergiO Caravan presentation at an elementary school in Chaudière-Appalaches.

Recycling household cooling appliances: a key issue

GoRecycle is the only recognized organization for managing the recycling of household cooling appliances, products which can cause significant environmental damage when discarded improperly. These appliances contain halocarbons, oils and plastics which, if not properly recovered, can pollute the air, water and soil.

The recycling process for fridges and air conditioners allows these materials to be recovered and treated responsibly. The process supports a circular economy, where materials are reused to manufacture new products, therefore reducing the ecological footprint.

The Réseau des CFER caravans: a travelling awareness-raising tool

The Réseau des CFER caravans are much more than an educational activity; they are travelling awareness-raising spaces that visit elementary and secondary schools, and public places such as shopping centres. They reach a wide audience–young and old–and offer interactive activities on recycling and sustainable development.

CFER students play a central role in these caravans. They are taught to lead environmental talks, host quizzes and manage an interactive kiosk, where the public can test their knowledge or learn more about recycling. These experiences give young people a unique opportunity to gain communication skills and feel valued as awareness raisers.

Environmental education that changes lives

Environmental education is essential to prepare future generations to confront global climate challenges. Through this partnership, GoRecycle and the Réseau des CFER help create a culture of recycling and environmental respect that can be passed on from one generation to the next. By involving young people directly, this project not only raises awareness, it also offers opportunities to youth who are often on the margins of traditional education.

A greener future, together

The collaboration between GoRecycle and the Réseau des CFER marks an important turning point in environmental awareness. Together, we are working to make sure young people are prepared to meet tomorrow’s environmental challenges, while offering them concrete tools to take action today.