Momentum Grows Around Recycling Along Parade Routes

NEW ORLEANS – Parade goers can take advantage of more recycling options this Carnival season, thanks to several initiatives underway. Some of those initiatives were a result of The Future of Mardi Gras forum, hosted by local organizations the Urban Conservancy and Grounds Krewe. Participants of the forum, which took place last fall, shared details in a press release.

“The forum brought 300 New Orleanians together to discuss ways to reduce the adverse environmental impact of Carnival season while growing the local economic impact,” says Dana Eness, Urban Conservancy’s director. “It encouraged New Orleanians to continue to share their ideas for more sustainable practices on and off the parade route and launch initiatives that shift the focus away from trashing the city and toward uplifting more local, ethical, green traditions. This Carnival season, we’re seeing the results of connections made at the forum.”

“The success of each Carnival season has been traditionally measured by the tonnage of debris collected by the end of Mardi Gras Day, but it is clear from survey responses collected from forum attendees that the public is ready to measure our success using more sustainable metrics,” says Brett Davis, founder of Grounds Krewe, an organization focused on waste reduction at parades. “Fifty-six percent of survey respondents reported that their largest concern was reducing street garbage and increasing recycling during Carnival season.”

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The public should watch for several opportunities this carnival season to volunteer to help with “on the route” recycling efforts. The Urban Conservancy and Grounds Krewe, in partnership with Entergy Corporation, ArcGNO and Republic Services will recycle throws, cans, and bottles during Muses  (following Babylon and Chaos) on February 28 and during the Uptown daytime parades on March 3 (Okeanos, Mid-City and Thoth).

“New Orleans is Entergy’s corporate home. Supporting a recycling program that helps ensure the sustainability of an event like Mardi Gras, which is so closely associated with the city’s unique culture and appeal, fits well with our mission to add sustainable value to our communities and our commitment to protecting the environment,” said Chuck Barlow,

Entergy’s vice president of sustainability and environmental policy. “We appreciate the leadership of the Urban Conservancy and Grounds Krewe and can’t wait to help implement this important and inventive initiative.”

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For more information on how you can help on green initiatives this carnival season, check out the “Future of Mardi Gras Forum” page at www.urbanconservancy.org, or visit www.groundskrewe.org.

 

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