Posted on Oct 18, 2023 | News,Press Releases
Keep Louisiana Beautiful Awards Eight University Affiliates $39,644 in Grants
MANDEVILLE, La. – Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) is pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of its new University Affiliate grant program, made possible with funding from a five-year EPA Gulf of Mexico Trash-Free Waters Grant. A total of $39,644 in reimbursement grants will fund projects at Grambling State University, Louisiana State University, Loyola University New Orleans, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana Monroe, and University of New Orleans. The selected universities will receive grants ranging from $4,000 to $5,000 for projects focused on recycling and reducing the use of single-use plastics.
Funded projects include:
- Grambling State University: Recycling expansion
- Louisiana State University: Athletics game day recycling
- Loyola University New Orleans: Separate stream recycling expansion
- Nicholls State University: Campus recycling
- Northwestern State University: Water bottle refill stations to reduce single-use disposables
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Recycling expansion in residence halls
- University of Louisiana Monroe: Water bottle refill stations to reduce single-use disposables
- University of New Orleans: Recycling ambassador program
“The Keep Louisiana Beautiful University Affiliate Network goes beyond asking students to serve their community,” says Gretchen Vanicor, Director of Sustainability at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. “The program has created impactful service-learning opportunities for our Louisiana higher education students that create a deeper understanding of the issues that cause litter pollution. Most importantly, the program provides all Affiliates and students with tools and resources to solve the problem.”
“Our University Affiliates are stepping up and modeling environmental stewardship for the rest of Louisiana,” says Cabell Mouton, KLB Community Outreach and Affiliate Services Director. “We can’t wait to see their projects in action this academic year.”
Susan Russell, KLB Executive Director says, “These universities are doing their part to promote recycling and reduce the amount of plastic waste on campus. We can learn from their efforts and adopt similar programs in our communities.”
The KLB University Affiliate program was developed in 2021 in response to a growing interest in sustainability, waste reduction, and litter prevention at the university level. University of Louisiana at Lafayette, with Keep Louisiana Beautiful as a sub-recipient, secured a $500,000 five-year EPA Gulf of Mexico Trash-Free Waters Grant to create and launch the program, develop a litter assessment app, develop educational training videos for campus communities, and fund grant opportunities for University Affiliates.
KLB University Affiliates include Grambling State University, Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Tulane University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana Monroe, University of New Orleans, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
The next class of University Affiliates (2023-24) includes Dillard University and Southeastern University. More information about the University Affiliate program and certification is available here.
