LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 12, 2026) – A new partnership between Brightside Foundation and Louisville-based Sazerac Company, one of the world’s largest distiller spirits companies, will aim to reduce and prevent litter across the city.
Sazerac’s investment in the Brightside Foundation is offering an example for how other organizations and businesses might collaborate to help create cleaner communities throughout Louisville. Combining volunteer cleanup efforts with targeted infrastructure improvements, a dozen new litter bins will be installed across the city, funded by Sazerac. The partnership aims to reduce litter, improve public spaces and encourage long-term stewardship.
“It takes leadership to inspire change. Sazerac is a leader that recognizes issues and is investing to improve our community,” said Louis Straub, Brightside Foundation chair. “As Louisvillians, we should all want a clean city, which reflects our citizens pride, civic responsibility, and environmental awareness. But more importantly, a clean city is often more attractive to visitors, businesses, and potential residents, which can support tourism and investment. Well-maintained public and private spaces tend to encourage outdoor activities, recreation, and a higher quality of life. Sazerac is leading the way with their investment. I encourage other business and citizens to make similar investments, either of money or time to keep our community clean and green.”
With Sazerac’s support, and other corporate partners, Brightside’s is able to continue to fulfill its commitment to the beautification of Louisville. The Brightside Foundation is actively working to engage with environmentally and socially responsible businesses and community organizations to sponsor large-scale tree plantings, neighborhood cleanup days, or educational programming.
To drive home the message of community beautification and community engagement, Brightside is inviting volunteers to a cleanup event on Saturday, August 22 from 9am-11am, in two of the city’s most-reported litter zones: south of the University of Louisville and Old Louisville.
Brightside Inc. invites area businesses, neighbors and faith groups to participate. T-shirts, gloves, and bags will be provided for all volunteers. Sign up in advance at brightsidefoundation.com/littercleanup. The two-site cleanup runs 9am-11am. In case of severe weather, the rain date is Sunday, August 23 from 1pm-3pm.
Litter impacts every corner of a community. It diminishes neighborhood pride, threatens local ecosystems, increases cleanup costs for taxpayers and can discourage investment. Financial support of the beautification initiative goes a long way in revitalizing communities and brightening neighborhoods – ultimately leaving a positive imprint on local pride that encourages further investment, boosting to tourism and outdoor recreation – all positive signs of a healthy city.
The impact of Brightside is strengthened with public and private partners, helping communities protect natural resources and improve quality of life.
“Sazerac’s investment helps Brightside continue building a cleaner, greener Louisville for everyone,” said Michelle Black White, Brightside Foundation Executive Director. “Partnerships like this allow us to expand our impact, engage more volunteers, and strengthen the sense of pride that comes from caring for our community together.”
For more information about volunteer opportunities and upcoming cleanup events, visit brightsidefoundation.com/get-involved.
About Brightside Foundation
Brightside Foundation works hand-in-hand with Brightside, Inc. to solicit and oversee privately-raised funds in support of the environmentally focused activities of Brightside. Through its fiduciary role, the Foundation ensures that donated funds are used as the donor intended.
About Brightside
Donor funded and volunteer driven since 1986, Brightside works to unite people in clean and green activities to beautify the city and foster community pride. Brightside is dedicated to uniting people in clean and green activities that beautify and foster pride in our community through volunteerism, planting, sustainability, and education.
Volunteers and community engagement are essential to Brightside’s core values. Our community-wide clean-ups have empowered thousands of volunteers to help remove over 300 tons of litter throughout our city. Brightside promotes sustainability through our long-standing education programs that spread our mission to future generations and prepare for a brighter tomorrow, while our green living program advocates and educates about everyday sustainable living practices.
About Sazerac Company
With over 400 years of history, Sazerac is one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers and communities around the world.
Over 550 of the world’s most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Myers’s Rum, White X Cognac, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, and many more.
Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Hawk’s Rock Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montréal, London, Cork and Sydney, to name a few.
To learn more visit www.sazerac.com.
