During Mardi Gras, thousands of beads are thrown across New Orleans and the surrounding areas. By the time Mardi Gras wraps up, most of us are left with bags, boxes, or bins full of beads.
They get swept off the streets, tossed into closets, or stuffed into the garage with the promise of “dealing with them later.”
The problem is, a lot of beads don’t just disappear. When they’re left on the street or thrown away, they can end up clogging storm drains, sitting in landfills, or washing into local waterways. With so much plastic involved, finding a better place for beads after the season really does matter.
Why Donating Mardi Gras Beads Matters
Donating beads is one of those small things that actually adds up. When beads are reused instead of trashed, it keeps plastic out of landfills and out of our drainage system.
It also supports local organizations that clean, sort, and redistribute beads so they can be used again, rather than creating new ones year after year.
It’s an easy way to reduce waste without overthinking it.
Local Places in the New Orleans Area That Accept Bead Donations
If you’re looking to pass beads along responsibly, there are several local options in the New Orleans area.
Year-Round Bead Donation Options
Arc of Greater New Orleans
Accepts clean, bagged beads. Beads are reused or recycled, and proceeds help support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Seasonal & Event-Based Options
Mardi Gras Bead Recycling Program
Seasonal collection program with designated drop-off locations around the city. These programs typically operate during parade season or immediately afterward and focus on keeping beads out of streets, storm drains, and local waterways.
Glass Half Full / Hotel & Partner Bead Collection
Several hotels in the French Quarter and downtown New Orleans host bead collection bins during and right after Mardi Gras. These seasonal bins give guests and locals a place to drop unwanted beads, which are then transferred to partner organizations, often including ArcGNO, for sorting and processing.
Grounds Krewe – RecycleDAT! Program
Grounds Krewe is known for its work keeping beads out of storm drains and waterways during Mardi Gras. Through its RecycleDAT! program, the organization collects unwanted parade throws, including beads, at staffed recycling stations along parade routes and at special events. Collected items are then sorted and redirected through appropriate recycling or reuse channels.
Some schools, churches, and community groups may also accept beads for crafts or future events, especially right after parade season. It’s always best to check ahead before dropping anything off.
Tips for Sorting & Preparing Beads for Donation
This can be easy and quick:
- Toss broken strands, cracked beads, or anything sticky or peeling
- Keep plastic bead strands that are in decent shape
- Separate specialty items like light-up beads if requested
- Bag or box beads so they’re easy to handle at drop-off
What to Do If You Have a Large Amount of Beads
If you’ve been collecting beads for years and have more than a few bags:
- Reach out to bead recycling organizations to ask about bulk drop-offs
- Coordinate a group donation with neighbors or friends
- Keep an eye out for community bead drives and post-Mardi Gras cleanup events
Large donations are often welcome; they just may need a little coordination.
And if beads aren’t the only thing left after the season, you can also donate costumes, throws, and other Mardi Gras items locally.
Olivia Parks created a local donation directory that includes additional places to donate throughout the New Orleans area.
We hope this helps! Happy Mardi Gras!
