The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s independent assessment of PFAS compounds in soil and water near our facility in Cohoes found that our community has not been adversely impacted by PFAS, which are ubiquitous in the environment, and in fact PFAS levels are “well below levels observed in areas impacted by industrial activity or prior releases of PFAS.” This is great news. Read More
We’re Proud to Support STEM Education Locally
Norlite was proud to partner with Questar III BOCES to provide an immersive, on-site experience last summer for Jenny Starr, a Green Island middle and high school science teacher who spent seven weeks with us as part of the BOCES Summer STEM Research Institute.
Ms. Starr learned about the range of careers available at Norlite and the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully pursue them, from laboratory technicians to heavy equipment operators, connecting classroom teaching to the world beyond the school walls.
Santa’s Helpers Hard at Work
As they have for many years, Norlite’s employees showed their exceptional generosity and community spirit this holiday season by joining a community toy drive to help ensure local kids have a Merry Christmas.
Managers, office staff, lab techs and production members donated $650 worth of toys and gift cards to the Cohoes Fire Department’s “Cheer for Children” program. The gifts were aimed toward kids 12 and older, as that was where there was the greatest need — so fast-food gift cards, a Selfie/Vlog LED ring light, and air hockey table were among the items donated.
Employees Rebecca McClellan and Brittany Alexander were instrumental in spearheading the holiday toy drive for Norlite this year.
More Good Health News for Cohoes Community
ProPublica, a nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism in the public interest, has analyzed U.S. EPA data and published a detailed map of areas that may have elevated cancer risks as the result of industrial emissions. Cohoes is not among the communities found to be at increased risk.
Facts are important, and clarifying.
Seeing is Believing: Jenny Starr and the Power of Bearing Witness
We were thrilled this summer to welcome Jenny Starr, a Green Island middle and high school science teacher who spent seven weeks with us as part of the Summer STEM Research Institute at Questar III BOCES.
We invited Jenny for a couple of reasons: first, so she could get a sense for the knowledge and skills required to work at Norlite and use that information to speak with her students about the very practical applications and opportunities that a science education can provide them, and second, so she could learn and understand on her own what we do and how we operate.
Norlite’s Lightweight Aggregate Addresses Challenge of Emissions from Buildings
Yes, you read that headline correctly.
According to the United Nations, buildings — their construction, materials and operations — represent 39% of global greenhouse emissions. As this report from CNBC notes, green solutions are available at every step of the process, including in the selection of building materials.
An Educator’s Education: Green Island’s Jenny Starr Learns About the Many Environmental Benefits of Norlite
As a Questar III BOCES STEM Research Institute host company, Norlite welcomed Jenny Starr, who teaches Chemistry in the Green Island School District and spent eight weeks this summer as a participant at Norlite, learning about our manufacturing processes, the recovery of energy from waste, the steps we take to protect the environment and our community, and the excellent careers that are available at Norlite.