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The Impact of Recycle Dat! on New Orleans’ Mardi Gras

As Mardi Gras approaches, New Orleans transforms into a vibrant hub of festivities, filled with parades, music, and revelry. However, amidst the celebrations, there’s an important initiative that allows attendees to contribute positively to the city—a volunteer-led program named Recycle Dat!.

This project mobilizes both locals and travelers to help clean up the substantial volume of waste generated during the Mardi Gras celebrations. Taking place on the two weekends leading up to Fat Tuesday, volunteers work diligently to collect the estimated 10,000 pounds of aluminum cans discarded along parade routes. The collected materials are then locally recycled, and the proceeds from the recycling are donated to support local charities, with matching funds from Every Can Count. This season, the beneficiaries include Grow Dat Youth Farm, S.O.U.L., and T.R.E.E. Nola.

Founded by a collaboration of three groups—Grounds Krewe, Every Can Counts, and the New Orleans Office of Resilience & Sustainability—Recycle Dat! emerged as a response to an escalating environmental challenge. Brett Davis, director of Grounds Krewe, articulated the urgency of the initiative, noting that the extensive carnival celebrations produce what is believed to be the world’s largest litter problem. He highlighted the staggering 2.6 million pounds of waste generated, particularly emphasizing the abundance of cans and other refuse left by parade-goers.

Since its inception three years ago, Recycle Dat! has not only facilitated recycling but has fostered a sense of community engagement during Mardi Gras. To date, the initiative has successfully collected and processed over 300,000 cans that would have otherwise contributed to landfills.

Scott Breen, senior vice president of sustainability at the Can Manufacturers Institute, noted the significance of recycling aluminum cans. He stated that about 97% of recycled aluminum cans in the U.S. are transformed into new cans within just 60 days, underscoring the efficiency and importance of participation in such programs. Furthermore, Recycle Dat!’s efforts have raised substantial funds for various nonprofit organizations, demonstrating the power of community in addressing environmental issues while enhancing local charities.

Everyone is invited to participate in the initiative, where volunteers can also enter to win prizes such as stays at popular hotels like The Chloe or tickets for the renowned Jazz Fest.

This year, a prominent recycling station will be set up at the intersection of Louisiana and St. Charles Avenue, featuring a striking mosaic crafted from 2,400 recycled cans by a local artist. This project captures the essence of turning trash into treasure, reinforcing the notion that what is discarded can be celebrated anew.

If you plan to be in New Orleans, consider signing up to volunteer with Recycle Dat! at groundskrewe.org.

Source
www.travelandleisure.com