Mardi Gras, the holiday in New Orleans known for its beautiful parades and long time traditions has just passed us by down in New Orleans. Every year, Mardi Gras gives people from all over the world the chance to watch floats pass by, scream for beads and shoes, and stuff their faces with king cake. However, the environmental consequences of this holiday are becoming more and more clear.
It is estimated that Mardi Gras creates around 2.5 million pounds of trash every year. Because of the nature of these floats where riders throw beads and other often plastic, mass produced items to people below, some of these inevitably end up on the street, clogging drains, stuck in trees, etc. While the department of sanitation tries its very best to clean up everything they can afterwards, it is impossible to pinpoint every piece of waste and dispose of it.
However, many organizations are working to reduce the effects of this otherwise joy-filled holiday.
One of these organizations, called VerdiGras, was formed in 2011 with the specific intention of conserving the culture of New Orleans while minimizing the waste that comes from it. With the motto “It’s about the show, not the throw” VerdiGras encourages riders of these floats to reuse throws and buy locally, to reduce the petroleum-based throws which can impact our environment as well as our health.
ArcGNO collects Mardi Gras donations year round at one of their many drop off sites. After collection they sell these beads, trinkets, plushes, and more the next year, and use the profits to support their main mission of securing opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to live out their lives to the fullest. Additionally, they host corporate team building events, student mission groups, and more for volunteers to help turn waste into job opportunities.
Grounds Krewe is a non profit organization which aims to “promote waste prevention, recycling, & sustainable products at New Orleans special events.” One of the ways they achieve this is selling eco-friendly items to throw from floats. These items, such as locally made soap bars and jambalaya mix are all made with sustainable materials and support the environmental initiative.
While Mardi Gras is one of New Orleans most culturally significant traditions, the after effects are often damaging. However, with conscious efforts from parade riders and attenders to reuse throws, donate left over throws, and buy sustainable throws, this holiday can become sustainable for years to come.
Work Cited
Brown, Lynn. “Rubbish and revelry: Can Rubbish and revelry: Can Mardi Gras go 'green'?Mardi Gras go 'green'?” Rubbish and revelry: Can Mardi Gras go 'green'?, BBC, 4 March 2025, https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250304-can-mardi-gras-go-green. Accessed 1 March 2026.
