NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Students Win National Recycling Contest with Focus on Battery Safety
Las Vegas, NV (April 15, 2026)—JASON Learning, in partnership withThe Recycled Materials Association (ReMA), today announced the winners of the 12th Annual Youth Recycling Contest, a national competition that challenges K–12 students to tackle real-world recycling issues through public education campaigns.
As battery use surges across consumer electronics and electric vehicles, this year’s theme, “Recycling Batteries: Hidden Risk, Uncovered Reward”, reflects a growing safety challenge and how the recycled materials industry is stepping up to solve it.
Winners were recognized at ReMA’s 2026 Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas.
The 2025-2026 Poster Contest winner is Vayda LeMere, of Clover High School in Clover, South Carolina. Her poster, “Recycling Batteries: Hidden Risk, Uncovered Reward,” outlines the risks of improper recycling, offers practical tips for communities lacking recycling access, and showcases the environmental and economic benefits of proper battery recycling.
The 2025-2026 Video Contest winner is Cheyenne Joshi, also of Clover High School. Joshi’s rap-style video illustrates the consequences of improper battery disposal and showcases accessible solutions for individuals nationwide.
“Congratulations to this year’s Youth Recycling Contest winners. This year’s winners are not just learning about recycling—they are helping to lead the conversation, using creativity and powerful sotrytelling to highlight the proper ways to recycle batteries and drive positive change for our environment and our industry.”
—Robin Wiener, President, Recycled Materials Association (ReMA)
The program continues to expand its national footprint, with more than 450 students from 11 states participating this year. South Carolina and Connecticut now operate their own contests that parallel the National Contest and extend its reach and impact.
“The contest is a learning experience that requires knowledge of the commodity, in this case, batteries. Every child, every teacher, every school increases the awareness that recycling is fundamental to the environment, but also manufacturing and American industry.”
—Eleanor Smalley, President and CEO of JASON Learning
Students, educators, and community members can learn more about the winning submissions, as well as view submissions that received Finalist and Honorable Mentions awards at: https://jason.org/2025-rema-jason-recycling-contest/.
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About JASON Learning
JASON Learning is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit transforming science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education through real-world STEM curricula, project-based learning experiences for PreK-12 students, and high-quality professional development for teachers. JASON’s mission is to “inspire and educate students everywhere through real science and exploration.” To learn more about JASON, visit https://jason.org/.
About The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA)
The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) represents more than 1,700 companies in the U.S. and 40 countries around the globe. Based in Washington, D.C., ReMA provides advocacy, education, safety and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycled materials play in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development.
For more information contact: Rachel Bookman, rbookman@recycledmaterials.org
