Mardi Gras season is here, and that means beads, moon pies, and a whole lot of fun.
It also means streets covered in confetti, cups, and enough stray plastic to make a seagull nervous.
While the celebration is all about letting loose, there’s a growing effort to make sure the aftermath doesn’t turn downtown Mobile into a trash heap.
That’s where the Cleaner, Greener LoDa initiative comes in. A group of organizations teamed up to tackle the waste problem, and their mission is simple: keep the party going, but clean up smarter.
Parades, Parties, and Pounds of Trash
Every year, thousands of people pack the streets for parades, balls, and balcony celebrations.
And when the last float rolls through, the confetti settles, and the music fades, what’s left behind?
Thousands of pounds of trash—some of it making its way into storm drains, and eventually, Mobile’s waterways.
City crews have always followed behind the parades to sweep up the mess, but in recent years, new recycling efforts have stepped up the game.
Last year alone, over 11,000 pounds of recyclables were collected, including a whopping 1,574 pounds of beads. That’s a whole lot of plastic getting a second life instead of clogging drains.
Simple Ways to Join the Cleanup Crew—Without a Broom
City cleanup crews will be out in full force, but they could use a little backup from the people enjoying the festivities.
Helping out doesn’t mean grabbing a garbage bag and walking the route—it’s as easy as using the purple garbage carts placed throughout downtown or tossing recyclables (including beads!) into bins at Bienville Square and Cathedral Square.
Businesses can do their part by putting out a trash or recycling bin in front of their doors.
And then there’s the biggest party foul of them all—plastic glow sticks. These things don’t just look messy, they also jam up the city’s street sweepers and cause environmental problems.
The city’s new motto? Say No to the Glow.
Mardi Gras and Mobile Go Way Back
Mardi Gras isn’t just a party—it’s a tradition older than Alabama itself.
Mobile was throwing Carnival celebrations before it was even part of the United States.
By the 1870s, the mystic societies had taken things up a notch, organizing elaborate parades followed by exclusive, high-society balls with themed theatrical performances.
Those traditions still thrive today, and while the costumes, throws, and parade floats have evolved, one thing hasn’t changed: Mardi Gras is Mobile’s time to shine.
A Cleaner Mardi Gras for a Stronger Mobile
At the end of the day, Mardi Gras is about celebration, community, and making memories—not leaving behind a mountain of plastic.
Thanks to initiatives like Cleaner, Greener LoDa, the city is working to keep the party fun while keeping Mobile beautiful.
So go ahead, catch those beads, dance in the streets, and soak in every moment of the season. Just be sure to toss your trash in the right place—because a cleaner Mobile means an even better Mardi Gras next year.
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