EMR USA - part of EMR, a global leader in sustainable materials - is supporting the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s (CRCL) Shell-A-Bration event with a sponsorship of $2500. The annual get-together, taking place on Friday 22 March, celebrates and raises money for CRCL’S oyster shell recycling program.
The family friendly Shell-A-Bration will be held in the Cajun Ballroom at New Orleans’ Audubon Zoo. With live music, local food (including Louisiana oysters) and drink, door prizes, a silent auction, and children’s activities, it promises to be a fun-filled evening raising awareness and vital funds for CRCL’s oyster shell recycling program, one of the largest shell recycling programs in the nation.
CRCL has been working tirelessly for 10 years to ensure that restoring and protecting coastal Louisiana are top priorities for the state, and the nation. Its oyster shell recycling program, in partnership with New Orleans-area restaurants and a legion of volunteers, collects oyster shells to restore reefs. Oyster reefs significantly slow the rate of coastal erosion, creating habitats for new oysters to live, as well as habitats for other wildlife. Reefs also minimize storm surges during hurricanes. In the last 10 years, CRCL has recycled millions of pounds of shells and protected over 8,000 feet of shoreline along the Louisiana coast.
EMR USA’s Environmental, Social and Governance Manager, Tony Schultz commented: “As a leader in the sustainable materials industry, we are dedicated to safeguarding the environment for future generations. With 10 recycling facilities across Louisiana, protecting and restoring the coastline is an important issue for all of us who work at EMR USA, and the many local communities we serve across the state.
“We are delighted to sponsor this year's 10th Shell-A-Bration event and support CRCL’s outstanding oyster shell recycling program, which aims to keep shells out of landfills and slow coastal land loss. Since launching in 2014, CRCL has collected more than 14 million pounds of shell and built five oyster reefs. During 2024, they plan to create their sixth oyster reef at Plaquemines Parish, which we're really excited to see develop and thrive over the coming years.”
