VerdiGras
It's About The Show, Not The Throw
The Verdi Gras Mission
To preserve our unique culture and, at the same time, our (the world’s) precious resources.
To inspire others with a sense of community, joie de vivre and fun!
VerdiGras was formed in 2011 by a group wanting to hold on to our soulful, beautiful traditions of Mardi Gras, the joie de vivre, without all the waste. The BP oil spill had just devastated the coastline and it’s varied species of inhabitants. Hurricane Katrina had rocked our city with loss of homes and friends. And yet, that 2011 Mardi Gras, despite locals filled with hope, had left again the usual, prodigious wake of petroleum products (beads, cups, bags, toys, etc.) and accompanying trash.
VerdiGras founding members first met under the Tree of Life, Audubon Park. Wishes were clear: with fun, educate and inspire ourselves and others to carry on the beauty of Carnival, without all the stuff.
The Path of a Bead
Plastic beads are not part of our unique cultural history. Their production leaves a significant carbon footprint, and they often contain dangerous elements such as lead and arsenic .
Collectively each year, krewes throw an estimated 2500 tons of beads in Orleans Parish alone.
The birth of most beads begins when oil from the Gulf of Mexico and the Middle East is sent to China. China produces nearly all Mardi Gras throws and ships them back to the US. However, these beads are often laced with chemicals such as polyethylene and polystyrene from the oil.
The Path Of A Bead
Plastic beads are not part of our unique cultural history. Their production leaves a significant carbon footprint, and they often contain dangerous elements such as lead and arsenic .
Collectively each year, krewes throw an estimated 2500 tons of beads in Orleans Parish alone.
The birth of most beads begins when oil from the Gulf of Mexico and the Middle East is sent to China. China produces nearly all Mardi Gras throws and ships them back to the US. However, these beads are often laced with chemicals such as polyethylene and polystyrene from the oil.
What Can You Do?
Think creatively with a sense of joy!
Teach your children and others to value our world and the environment. Use your old Mardi Gras throws creatively.
We don’t need “stuff” to enjoy
Mardi Gras!
Krewe Members!
Throw responsibly, buy locally, and throw less!
Recycle your old Mardi Gras throws.
Ask your captains to make a change!
What Can You Do?
Think creatively with a sense of joy!
Teach your children and others to value our world and the environment. Use your old Mardi Gras throws creatively.
We don’t need “stuff” to enjoy
Mardi Gras!
KREWE MEMBERS
Throw responsibly, buy locally, and throw less!
Recycle your old Mardi Gras throws.
Ask your captains to make a change!
Change can come as a community.
Be a part of making a change!
