While thought to be decorative, Mardi Gras beads hanging on trees are harmful to the plant as a whole. When the parade season ended in 2014, the New Orleans city government spent $1.5 million to pick up about 1,500 tons of Mardi Gras-induced waste, consisting mostly of beads. [1] This is a recurring problem every year for the city. The stringed beads, often sourced from China, can contain lead, heavy metals, and other materials that can be toxic to humans, particularly children. Tens of millions of pounds of Chinese-made plastic beads are imported to the Gulf Coast for Mardi Gras annually, a cheap but vast loot of plastic throws that only increases in volume each year. Much of Mardi Gras’ environmental impact comes from plastic waste associated with float throws, Strickland emphasized, trinkets that can be changed in design to be more eco-friendly. Mardi Grad beads in New Orleans are creating an environmental disaster Despite a daily cleanup that leaves the post-parade landscape remarkably clean, uncaught beads dangle from tree limbs like Much of Mardi Gras’ environmental impact comes from plastic waste associated with float throws, Strickland emphasized, trinkets that can be changed in design to be more eco-friendly. The problem is that petroleum-based plastic beads typically thrown at Mardi Gras, produced from natural gas and oil-derived feedstock, degrade very slowly, releasing heavy metals and other toxins into the environment with devastating effects. And they can damage a city’s infrastructure, for example, clogging sewer systems in New Orleans. Mardi Gras can make a lot of trash, adding up to millions of pounds each year. Now, some parades in New Orleans are cutting down on their environmental footprint by banning plastic beads. (As a result, we recommend children and adults keep Mardi Gras beads out of their mouths and always wash their hands after handling the beads.) We had the opportunity to talk with VerdiGras founder and author Dr. Holly Groh about her work spreading the word about Mardi Gras waste. (This interview has been edited for clarity and length.) THE PLASTIC PROBLEM. Re-thinking Mardi Gras beads are indicative of a larger, global trend to reduce the use of unnecessary, novelty plastics. In recent years several studies have signalled an Mardi Gras beads often come in these colors, but the now-ubiquitous beads weren’t added to the celebration until the 1900s. The 1960s and 70s introduced an explosion of plastic bead options. Mardi Gras Imports is located at 388 Voters Rd in Slidell, Louisiana 70461. Mardi Gras Imports can be contacted via phone at 985-641-1530 for pricing, hours and directions. Contact Info Mardi Gras Imports is like a Costco or Sam's Club for Mardi Gras beads and throws. You can't miss their purple, green and gold striped store that catches your eye as you ride down I-10 in Slidell. They're open to the public and carry one of the largest selections of Mardi Gras themed merchandise on the North Shore. Mardi Gras Outlet sells Mardi Gras beads and party supplies wholesale to the public. Menu Search Account Compare. MardiGrasOutlet.com. Search: Search. 0 My Cart You Throw Beads 99 99 products; Titans 25 25 @mardigraslightups.com. 141 Production Dr. Slidell, LA 70460. QUICK LINKS Policy; Mardi Gras Light-Ups LLC. 2023 Slidell, LA 70458 Phone: (985) 646-4332. City Council 2045 Second Street Slidell, LA 70458 Phone: (985) 646-4307. Slidell Police Department 2112 Sgt Alfred St Slidell, LA 70458 Phone: 985-643-3131. DIRECTORY Mardi Gras Imports is like a Costco or Sam's Club for Mardi Gras beads and throws. You can't miss their purple, green and gold striped store that catches your eye as you ride down I-10 in Slidell. They're open to the public and carry one of the largest selections of Mardi Gras themed merchandise on the North Shore.
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