New Orleans: The city has launched the third year of its Recycle Dat! initiative in partnership with local businesses, aiming to promote recycling during Carnival. Key features include the Recycle World interactive station and the Bar Wars competition, encouraging responsible waste management throughout the festivities.
The New Orleans Office of Resilience & Sustainability has announced its continued collaboration with New Orleans & Company and Grounds Krewe to promote the Recycle Dat! initiative during this year’s Carnival Season. This partnership is backed by notable sponsors such as Every Can Counts, Entergy New Orleans, and Coca-Cola, and aims to enhance sustainability efforts throughout the festivities.
For its third year, the Recycle Dat! programme will introduce new and expanded initiatives to engage the public in sustainable practices during Carnival. A central component of this year’s programme is the establishment of Recycle World, located at the Premium Parking lot on the corner of Louisiana and St. Charles Avenue. Operated by Osprey Initiative and sponsored by Coca-Cola, this interactive recycling station will allow attendees to witness the tangible impact of recycling during Mardi Gras. It will be open to the public during the route recycling hours from approximately 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the two weekends leading up to Mardi Gras.
Alongside Recycle World, revellers will have the opportunity to contribute used aluminium cans to the creation of a themed mosaic, designed by a local artist and supported by Every Can Counts. This project aims to use over 2,400 aluminium cans to depict a Mardi Gras-themed image.
In addition, the Bar Wars competition will take place from February 1 until Mardi Gras Day, inviting local bars to compete for the highest rate of glass recycling. This initiative, in collaboration with Glass Half Full, aims to divert waste from landfills and support coastal restoration projects by transforming glass waste into sustainable sand. Individuals can donate on behalf of their favourite participating bar.
During the Carnival season, attendees are encouraged to collect and recycle cans, glass, and plastic bottles through designated recycling stations. Key locations along Napoleon and St. Charles Avenue will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on specific dates, including February 22 (Freret Day), February 23, and March 1-2, with an additional shift on Muses Thursday night.
The Recycle Dat! initiative has shown significant results in previous years. Last year, around 4,302 pounds of aluminium cans and 4,288 pounds of glass were recycled along the parade route, alongside 12,697 pounds of beads and other throws. This year, the goal includes expanding these efforts to encompass an even greater amount of recycled materials, with community leaders highlighting the increasing demand for enhanced sustainable practices.
Brett Davis, the founding director of Grounds Krewe, remarked on the evolution of the initiative from its humble beginnings. “It’s inspiring to see this program go from a handful of volunteers, grocery carts and some rented cargo trailers stashed along the parade route to what is today,” Davis stated. He highlighted that the programme has grown into a multi-faceted initiative supported by various companies and local groups committed to sustainability.
Walt Leger III, President & CEO of New Orleans & Company, and Greg Nichols, Director of the City’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability, also expressed their support for the programme’s objectives. Nichols emphasised that through the expansion of initiatives like Recycle Dat!, the city is making strides in waste reduction and supporting local non-profits while fostering a greener Mardi Gras celebration.
The Every Can Counts initiative supports this year’s efforts, with Scott Breen, Senior Vice President of Sustainability at the Can Manufacturers Institute, affirming their commitment to recycling aluminium cans along the parade routes. The recycled cans will be processed by EMR in Mid-City, which will pay market rates and donate the proceeds, matched by Every Can Counts, to local charities, including Grow Dat Youth Farm, S.O.U.L. Nola, and T.R.E.E. Nola.
As festivities approach, organisers are poised to further engage the community in sustainable practices during one of the city’s most celebrated events, ensuring that Mardi Gras can be both vibrant and environmentally responsible.
Source: Noah Wire Services
