Louisiana Tech received a grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) to purchase branded reusable water bottles for use on campus, one part of a statewide initiative to engage college students in environmental stewardship and sustainability practices and further the goal of keeping Louisiana beautiful.
By joining the KLB University Affiliate Network, Tech is one of 13 universities in the program, the largest and most successful program of its kind in the country.
Tech’s Student Activities and Student Programs Director Wes Cavin spearheaded the year-long on-campus project to secure the $4,500 grant. To become an affiliate, Tech was required to conduct a waste audit, litter survey and assessment, participate in Love the Boot Week, form an affiliate leadership committee, design an affiliate logo, and create a work plan.
Various recycling projects encountered roadblocks until sustained efforts gained traction through the idea of reusable aluminum water bottles branded with Tech icons like the Lady of the Mist, Keeny Hall, and the classic State-and-T logo.
“We observed that people were using the bottles multiple times and determined that purchasing more could aid in the reduction of plastic water bottles and other disposables across campus,” Cavin said. “Securing the grant could also assist the University in bringing awareness to the campus for all of our recycling and sustainability efforts.”
After production, the bottles will be distributed through various campus events. The grant covered the purchase of more than 3,000 bottles, which also feature the KLB logo as a reminder of this effort to reduce single-use disposables and the efforts to Keep Louisiana — and Louisiana Tech — beautiful.
“We are dedicated to fostering a culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility at Louisiana Tech,” Cavin said. “Joining the Keep Louisiana Beautiful University Affiliate program marks a significant step in our commitment to reducing waste, promoting recycling, and engaging our campus community in meaningful environmental initiatives. We look forward to collaborating with fellow institutions across the state to create a cleaner, greener Louisiana for future generations.”
Being a Keep Louisiana Beautiful University Affiliate is a special mark of distinction and represents a commitment by each school to continual improvement in sustainability and environmental issues, promoting student environmental stewardship and engagement, and rigorous outcome measurement. It offers state recognition and sends a strong message to university stakeholders, as well as city, state, and national leaders. It signifies that schools are part of a greater movement of over 600 National Affiliates and 44 Community Affiliates that have a proven track record of behavioral change and preserving the beauty of Louisiana.
Besides Tech, affiliates include Dillard University, Grambling State University, Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, Tulane University, University of Louisiana Monroe, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of New Orleans, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
The University Affiliate program was developed in 2021 in response to a growing interest in sustainability, waste reduction, and litter prevention at the university level.
“These 13 Louisiana universities are leading the way in sustainability and waste reduction in higher education,” Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser said. “The future of our state is looking bright with these young changemakers at the helm. I can’t wait to see the positive change they’ll bring to Louisiana and the world.”
“We’re incredibly proud to see our network of University Affiliates continue to grow,” Cabell Mouton, KLB Community Engagement and Affiliate Services Director, said. “This program is truly one-of-a-kind in the nation, and it’s an honor to support these dedicated students and campuses as they lead the way in environmental stewardship and sustainability practices.”
KLB is a state program under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism promoting personal, corporate, and community responsibility for a clean and beautiful Louisiana. KLB supports local communities through programs and resources for litter education, prevention, removal, enforcement, beautification, recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability initiatives. KLB is affiliated with the national organization, Keep America Beautiful, and is supported by a robust statewide network of Community Affiliates and University Affiliates.
More information is available at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.