This program collects and recycles cans found along the Mardi Gras parade routes in New Orleans, donating the proceeds to charity. Visitors are also encouraged to volunteer.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is famously known for its vibrant celebrations, wild parties, and the abundance of beads and booze. But there’s a growing movement to make the festivities more sustainable and impactful, giving attendees an opportunity to give back while still enjoying the revelry. Enter Recycle Dat!, a volunteer-driven initiative that allows parade-goers to take part in an environmental cause without leaving the heart of the action.

Launched by Grounds Krewe, Every Can Counts, and the New Orleans Office of Resilience & Sustainability, Recycle Dat! has quickly become a staple of the Mardi Gras experience. The program organizes volunteers—both locals and visitors—on the two Saturdays and Sundays leading up to Fat Tuesday to collect the thousands of cans discarded along parade routes. During the two-week Mardi Gras season, an estimated 10,000 pounds of cans can be found littering the streets. These cans are gathered and sent to a local recycling facility, where they are exchanged for scrap aluminum at market rates. The proceeds are then matched by Every Can Counts and donated directly to local charities, with this year’s beneficiaries being Grow Dat Youth Farm, S.O.U.L., and T.R.E.E. Nola.

Brett Davis, the director of Grounds Krewe, explained the origins of the program, noting that it stemmed from a desire to address a significant environmental issue in his hometown. "The 12 days of carnival are, as far as I can tell, the largest litter-producing event in the entire world," he told Travel + Leisure. "During the 10 days of parades, 2.6 million pounds of tailgate waste, including cans, are left by crowds on the streets." Faced with this environmental challenge, Davis and his collaborators created Recycle Dat! to offer a simple and effective solution.

Since its inception three years ago, Recycle Dat! has helped recycle over 300,000 cans, keeping them out of landfills and reducing the environmental impact of the celebration. The program has also provided an engaging way for participants to give back to the city while still being part of the Mardi Gras excitement. As Scott Breen, senior vice president of sustainability at the Can Manufacturers Institute and Every Can Counts, explained, recycling aluminum cans is highly effective. “Ninety-seven percent of recycled aluminum beverage cans in America become new cans, and on average, they’re back on store shelves in less than 60 days,” he said. The efforts have not only helped the environment but have also raised thousands of dollars for local charities.

Volunteer participation is open to all, and as a bonus, volunteers are entered into a raffle for prizes such as a stay at the trendy The Chloe hotel or tickets to the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest. This sense of community involvement makes the program even more appealing to both locals and visitors alike.

One of the highlights of this year’s Recycle Dat! program will be a major recycling station located at the corner of Louisiana and St. Charles Avenue. This station will feature an interactive mosaic made from 2,400 discarded cans, designed by a local artist, turning the waste into a visual representation of the city’s resilience and creativity. As the saying goes, one city’s trash is another city’s treasure.

In addition to the fun and excitement of Mardi Gras, Recycle Dat! proves that it’s possible to celebrate sustainably, leaving a positive impact on New Orleans and its communities for years to come.