The French Quarter Management District is expanding its Mardi Gras sustainability efforts by partnering with downtown hotels to recycle thousands of pounds of discarded beads, an initiative that more than doubled its collection totals last year. FQMD announced it will provide free bead recycling services to 16 French Quarter hotels during the 2026 Mardi Gras season. The program, now in its third year, is operated by New Orleans鈥揵ased recycling company Glass Half Full.
In 2025, the program collected 10,705 pounds of Mardi Gras beads, more than triple the 3,346 pounds collected the previous year, according to FQMD. Recycling bins began appearing in participating hotels on Jan. 19, with collection continuing through Mardi Gras Day on Feb. 17. Hotels are hosting 64-gallon bead recycling stations in lobbies, guest floors and utility areas, encouraging visitors to drop off lightly used beads rather than discard them.
鈥淭he bead recycling partnership helps protect the historic streets, sidewalks, and drainage infrastructure of the French Quarter by reducing post-Mardi Gras debris, ensuring that one of Louisiana鈥檚 most treasured cultural districts remains clean, walkable and visually intact,鈥� said FQMD Executive Director Michelle Courseault.
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Author: CityBusiness
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