New way to recycle beads at Mardi Gras in NOLA

NEW ORLEANS

What to do with all those beads from parades during Carnival season around New Orleans?

Unwanted beads can be tossed at a big truck at the end of parades. The truck operated by the ARC of Greater New Orleans will follow most Metairie parades.

WWL-TV reported Jefferson Parish approved an ordinance allowing people to throw beads at the truck at the end of the parade. The beads will be taken to a center, and employees will repackage and resell the beads. It’s part of ARC’s mission to help employ people with developmental disabilities.

It’s been illegal to throw things toward a parade.

Most years, there have been collection points for unwanted beads. ARC officials hope the truck will increase the amount of recycled beads from 62 tons to 100 tons.