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Rubbish and revelry: Can Mardi Gras go 'green'?

New Orleans' Mardi Gras, a globally renowned festival generating nearly $900 million annually, faces a significant environmental challenge: its massive waste production, estimated at 1,000 tons yearly. Historically, the festival's success was measured by the amount of waste generated, primarily from cheap plastic beads—a practice linked to toxic contamination and sewer system blockages in a city already vulnerable to flooding. A 2020 report highlighted the beads' toxic components, including arsenic, chlorine, and lead, raising serious health concerns in a city situated in "Cancer Alley," a region with high pollution levels.

The plastic bead problem is deeply intertwined with the festival's funding. Krewes, the local organizations responsible for parades, rely heavily on the sale of these cheap throws to members, generating significant profit margins. The strict prohibition on corporate advertising further limits alternative funding sources. While the city's sanitation department works tirelessly to clean up, substantial waste still ends up in waterways, endangering wildlife and human health.

However, a growing movement is striving to reconcile Mardi Gras traditions with environmental responsibility. A coalition of grassroots organizations, krewes, and sponsors, including the Recycle Dat Initiative and Grounds Krewe, are implementing various initiatives:

* **Sustainable Throws:** Krewes are increasingly adopting biodegradable alternatives like glitter, beignet mix, and jambalaya mix. Atlas Beads provides handcrafted, eco-friendly necklaces from recycled materials. The Krewe of Feret became the first to completely eliminate plastic throws, resulting in a surge in membership. Even the Krewe of Rex, known as the "King of Carnival," is experimenting with sustainable options.

* **Enhanced Recycling:** Recycle Dat has expanded its efforts, establishing large-scale recycling stations (like Recycle World) along parade routes, collecting thousands of pounds of recyclable materials annually. Volunteers play a crucial role in sorting and processing this waste.

* **Community Engagement:** The focus is on fostering a sense of community involvement. Events like the Krewe of Recyclists, featuring characters like Hans Can-Crusher, engage participants in a fun and educational way.

The shift towards sustainability faces challenges. The cultural significance of plastic beads and cups, considered treasured keepsakes by many, necessitates a gradual transition rather than an abrupt ban. Despite some resistance, the movement is gaining momentum, driven by the desire to preserve both the festival and the environment. The success of this initiative depends on the continued collaboration of krewes, volunteers, and the city, aiming to make Mardi Gras more sustainable while maintaining its vibrant cultural essence. The ultimate goal, as one activist put it, is to make the eco-friendly approach "more fun" than the traditional, unsustainable practice.

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