A partnership between Cornerstone Chemical Company and Louisiana State University (LSU) Athletics yielded record-breaking results at the LSU vs. Florida home game on November 11, 2023. With over 21,538 items equal to 1,370.83 pounds of recyclables collected, it was a highly successful collaboration in support of the GameDay Recycling Challenge and America Recycles Day.
The GameDay Recycling Challenge is a competition between universities across the country to see which schools can recycle the most waste during home football games. Cornerstone, a manufacturer of intermediate chemicals used across the globe, sponsored LSU’s campus tailgate and stadium recycling efforts this year and has been a partner with LSU Athletics on various sustainability and Baton Rouge recycling efforts since 2021.
Recyclables were collected from within Tiger Stadium, and bins were placed across the university’s campus. Items were sorted and recorded with the help of various student organizations, including Geaux Green, the Society of Wetland Scientists, and the Water Brigades, as well as staff from the Osprey Initiative, a specialty environmental consultant. The final stop was the Baton Rouge Coca-Cola facility, where the recyclables were repurposed for reusable bottles.
“There were noticeable reductions in trash with fans utilizing recycling bins available at designated locations, and this seemed to contribute to happier fans and an even more positive game day experience,” said Lisa Mahoney, LSU’s Sustainability program manager. “We hope the success of this effort will be a stepping stone for greater efforts of recycling and waste reduction for LSU game day events.”
As one of the largest employers in Jefferson Parish, with more than 400 direct employees who call South Louisiana home, Cornerstone plays an important role in the Greater New Orleans area economy and has done so for over 70 years. The site is responsible for the production of a wide variety of sustainable products that affect many different facets of American life, from optic lenses to life-saving pharmaceuticals and the carbon fibers used in the production of U.S. military and commercial aircraft.
Preparing the company for a sustainable future is the goal of senior sustainability engineer and Luling native Katy Jackson. Jackson earned her bachelor’s degree in coastal environmental science from LSU, a master’s degree in environmental planning and management from Johns Hopkins University, and a certificate of sustainability from the University of California at Los Angeles.
“When I think of sustainability, I think about how organizations can continue to operate safely and economically, while being a good neighbor and steward of our natural resources,” said Jackson. Her role includes leading various sustainability-focused partnerships in the local and greater New Orleans area. These efforts bring together employees, neighbors, elected officials, academia, and more with the common goal of benefiting the community.
On the Cornerstone Energy Park site, Jackson progresses sustainability goals by assessing performance indicators, including the site’s carbon footprint, waste minimization efforts, energy consumption, product innovation, sustainable procurement, and community economic development.
Jackson has a long personal history with Cornerstone Energy Park. She grew up 15 minutes down the road from the site, and her grandfather worked at Cornerstone for his whole career. Her uncle also finished out his career at the facility.
“Living in the community and having deep family ties to this organization has inspired me to make a positive impact on our neighborhood and the environment so future generations can continue to grow up here and enjoy the beauty that Louisiana has to offer,” said Jackson.
Cornerstone participates in many sustainability efforts in the Jefferson Parish community and continues to review and improve their own processes to minimize waste. The Cornerstone partnership with LSU Athletics that generated a record-breaking number of recyclables is an example of one of the many effective initiatives that the organization seeks to implement.
“Waste reduction is a focus of Cornerstone’s sustainability efforts, so this partnership with LSU on one of the biggest game days of the season was a natural fit and helps raise awareness of all the ways we can work together to minimize waste,” said Shawn Ward, Cornerstone director of corporate health, safety, security, environment, and sustainability.
To learn more about Cornerstone’s sustainable products, sustainability efforts, and community programs in Jefferson Parish, visit cornerstonechemco.com.
This story originally appeared on NOLA.com. Read the original story online here.
