Mobile recycled a jaw-dropping amount of Mardi Gras beads at 2024 parades. Guess how many.

The numbers are in. According to Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, over the three week Mardi Gras season, the city’s litter collection team and volunteer partners recycled far more recyclable materials and beads than in 2023.

How much? Drumroll please…

• 11,739 pounds of recyclable materials — nearly 6 tons!
• 1,574 pounds of beads

Now that’s a lot of beads. And how are they recycled/reused?

The students at Augusta Evans School — K through 12 — will be selling the Mardi Gras beads after they sort, tag and package them to the public. 

“Since 2020, the city’s collection efforts have increased every year thanks to the hard work of our staff. We are excited to see these numbers growing and look forward to setting the bar even higher in 2025!”

~Mayor Sandy Stimpson in his February 16th nightly newsletter

Mobile recycles tires too

In addition to the bead recycling program, Mobile is hosting a Scrap Tire Amnesty Day on Saturday, February 24.

Volunteers from Osprey Initiative and the Student Conservation Association (SCA) are joining forces with City of Mobile employees to collect scrap tires at three drop-off locations from 8AM to 11AM.

Only Mobile residents can participate and they are limited to 4 tires per person.

Here are the locations:

• Baumhauer-Randle Park — 1909 Duval Street, Mobile, 36606
• Medal of Honor Park — 1711 Hillcrest Rd. Mobile, 36609
• City of Mobile Recycling Center — 4851 Museum Drive, Mobile 36608

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