How New Orleans is going greener at Mardi Gras this year
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The Krewe of Iris is known for its signature reusable throw: sunglasses. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images
New Orleans Mardi Gras krewes are continuing to explore new ways to make the greatest free show on Earth a little kinder to the actual planet.
Why it matters: The city is already on the frontlines of the impacts of human-caused climate change, which motivates revelers to make Mardi Gras less wasteful.
The big picture: After the Department of Public Works started clearing clogged catch basins back in 2018, officials said their crews pulled 46 tons of Mardi Gras beads out of the city's drains along St. Charles Avenue.
- And that's just between Poydras Street and Harmony Circle.
- "Once you hear a number like that, there's no going back," then-interim Public Works director Dani Galloway said at the time. "So we've got to do better."
Between the lines: Galloway was referring more broadly to the department keeping the drains clear, especially after a string of summer storms caused widespread street flooding.
- But the sentiment about the wastefulness of the city's Carnival season hit a nerve, too.
In recent years, New Orleans officials and nonprofits have made concerted efforts to clean up our act.
- RecycleDat, a project between the city and New Orleans & Co., gathers cans, beads and glass along the parade route. Get info on donation sites and volunteering here.
- The Arc of Greater New Orleans continues to collect donated throws, which creates jobs for adults with disabilities, who repackage them for reuse. Details.
- And while the concept isn't yet in full production, LSU researchers have even created the first biodegradable beads, which grow into flowers when planted.
Zoom in: Krewes are putting in the effort, too.
- The Krewe of Freret, which already paraded this season, became the first Mardi Gras organization to ban plastic beads on its floats. Members instead tossed glass beads, cups and other reusable items.
- Nearly a dozen krewes also buy throws from Grounds Krewe, which sells sustainable options.
We hope to catch these before Mardi Gras is over:
- Rex will throw seed kits to grow herbs. Go deeper.
- Krampus is handing out a limited run of 50 glass doubloons.
- In addition to its signature sunglasses, Iris is tossing fanny packs, bubbles, colored pencils, beignet mix, earrings, sugar cubes and grits.
- Bacchus is tossing kitchen gear like spoons, oven mitts and seasonings.
