Mardi Gras sustainability initiative collects 14K pounds of recyclables

RecycleDat, a New Orleans recycling initiative designed to promote sustainability throughout Mardi Gras, has collected 13,983 pounds of recyclables in the first two weekends of the carnival. 

The initiative is a collaboration between Grounds Krewe and New Orleans & Co., sponsored by Entergy Corporation, Dr. Pepper and others. 

Recycling stations and bins are placed along the parade route during Mardi Gras’ day parades, Feb. 7-8 and 14-15. 

Last year, the coalition recycled more than 70,000 pounds of parade waste, including 46,321 pounds of glass, 3,828 pounds of aluminum (approximately 129,404 beverage cans), 905 pounds of plastic (approximately 24,563 plastic bottles) and 23,445 pounds of beads and throws, which includes 10,704 pounds collected through the Hotel Throw Recycling program. 

As the impact of the program expands, leaders of the initiative say they continue to see growing demand from the community to expand the work of RecycleDat. 

“The work this coalition has done to grow this program year over year has been great to watch and shows how our city continues to evolve and work to make Mardi Gras more sustainable,” says Walt Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Co. “As residents and visitors continue to prioritize sustainable practices, we want to ensure New Orleans is leading the way. Every day, our team at New Orleans & Co. works to make New Orleans a great place to live, work, visit and invest. Our involvement in this program embodies that work.”