The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, in partnership with Novelis, the Official Aluminum Recycling Partner of the Atlanta Hawks, recently hosted the second annual Community Recycling Challenge kickoff event, welcoming students from David T. Howard Middle School for an immersive afternoon focused on sustainability, education, and community engagement.
The event reflects a partnership that began in 2021 and was extended in February 2025, with a shared goal of using the influence of live sports and entertainment to promote long-term recycling habits throughout Atlanta.
Ashley Walsh, Senior Manager of Social Impact and Partnerships at Novelis, emphasized that the collaboration goes beyond operations and into real-world impact, explaining, “It’s really important that we take what we do from an operational perspective and take that into sharing why recycling is important out into the community.”
Walsh noted that partnering with the Hawks and the broader State Farm Arena platform allows Novelis to activate its mission in meaningful ways, including engaging directly with students through hands-on learning and friendly competition. One of the key activations of the partnership is working with Howard Middle School to educate students on the importance of recycling while encouraging participation through a grade-level challenge.
“In general, I think youth is so motivated to do anything to help our planet,” Walsh said. “They’re motivated to take action on what they believe, and this is a great opportunity to educate them on the impact they can have through the simple act of recycling.” She added that the impact often extends beyond the classroom, as students take what they learn home and influence recycling behaviors among parents and family members.
The afternoon began with a recycling-centered presentation led by Olivia Begalla, Sustainability Manager for the Hawks and State Farm Arena, followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the Arena that included a stop at the Resource Recovery Room, where waste generated during events is sorted and processed.
Students also designed and customized recycling banners that will hang in their respective grade hallways throughout the four-week challenge, helping raise awareness and build team pride. Amanda Mann, Chief Facilities Officer for the Hawks and State Farm Arena, highlighted the value of the partnership, saying the organization is excited to work with partners like Novelis who make sustainability engaging and accessible while showcasing what the next generation is capable of achieving.
For Walsh, seeing students so engaged reinforces the purpose of the initiative. “It’s exciting to see students eager to learn how simple actions can impact the world around them in tangible ways,” she said, adding that the partnership with the Atlanta Hawks is both fun and meaningful and helps inspire lifelong recyclers who will continue to champion sustainability within their schools and communities.
