Recycling Mardi Gras Beads
Mardi Gras is around the corner, and sustainability with your beads should be made a priority.
Thousands of beads are discarded each year, whether littered or thrown in the garbage. However, there are more optimal methods of reducing your bead collection and that is via recycling. Find one of the various recycling cites across New Orleans, and do your part in improving the sustainability of Mardi Gras.
ArcGNO
ArcGNO, an organization dedicated to supporting the success of individuals with intellectual disabilities, accepts Mardi Gras beads for disposal. There are two methods of donation, with various drop off sites, for individuals to choose from. If choosing to host a bead drive, ArcGNO will offer recycling bin delivery and pick up. If traveling independently, visit ArcGNO's Metairie, Uptown, Chalmette, and Northshore centers.
Audubon Zoo
newsroom.audubonnatureinstitute.org/recycle-mardi-gras-beads-at-audubon
The Audubon Nature Institute has situated Mardi Gras bead collection boxes at the Audubon Zoo's front gate and the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center. The center also has a drop-off location by the Arc of Greater New Orleans. The beads will be reused for future Carnival celebrations in an effort to minimize their production and improper disposal. Pair your next zoo trip with promoting sustainability, and recycle your unused beads.
Glass Half Full
Glass Half Full is a disposal initiative that promotes the proper recycling of glass. Building on their sustainable momentum, Glass Half Full has also established a Mardi Gras bead recycling program with the French Quarter Management District. Over 20 hotels serve as collection sites, where Glass Half Full will pick up the beads and then bring them to partner organizations, such as ArcGNO. Visit Glass Half Full's website to see their list of participating hotels.
The City of New Orleans' Recycle Dat!
nola.gov/next/resilience-sustainability/waste-diversion/recycle-dat-mardi-gras-recycling
The City of New Orleans' recycling program Recycle Dat! involves numerous krewes and organizations in the promotion of their bead disposal sites along parade routes. These sites, which will only be during parading, will be active between Chestnut Street and Napoleon Avenue, as well as Harmony Circle and St. Charles Avenue. This initiative has made progress since its establishment in 2023 to encourage a fun yet sustainable Carnival season.
