Mardi Gras street trash, such as plastic beads and plastic cups, being removed by a bulldozer

Around 25 million pounds of #PlasticBeads are thrown away every year during the #MardiGras celebration in New Orleans, other events contribute, such as the #Gasparilla parade in Tampa, which adds approximately 225,000 pounds of #beads annually.

People on a Mardi Gras float "tossing beads" to the crowd

Fat Tuesday celebrations, including the best known, Mardi Gras, take place today. The practice of throwing beads, most often plastic, results in plastic litter on streets, in stormdrains, in sewers, and in waterways. #WetTribe #TidetotheOcean #FatTuesday #MardiGras #PlasticBeads #RefusePlastic