Every year the citizens of the greater New Orleans area gather to celebrate our lively city, dance in the rich culture, and savor heavenly food. This ongoing party is known to the entire world as Mardi Gras. Parades dominate Uptown, Midcity, and the French Quarter during these few weeks. As an unfortunate result of this celebration, there is an intense traffic build-up on alternative routes all over the city, trash fills the charming pot-hole clad streets like flood water, and thousands of beads are purchased every year only to end up in the garbage, in trees, or on the streets.  On Ash Wednesday, when the festivities come to an end and all those who participate rise to get their traditional Catholic blessing to end the season properly, the streets of New Orleans are filled with trash, and the city looks like a devastation zone. Luckily, there is one group of New Orleanians who are trying to keep the celebration fun and environmentally sound. Verdi Gras is a nonprofit organization that aims to reduce dependence on foreign throws and throws in general. Their mission statement is simply, “the show, not the throw.” Every year, most of the beads flying out of the colorful floats are manufactured in China. So sadly, another Louisiana staple, Mardi Gras beads, is not made in Louisiana much less the United States, and our economy is once again neglected. On the other hand, the holiday brings in a large amount of tourism and publicity for our great state, but the more a local economy is supported, the more it thrives and grows.  Locals especially should take pride in examining where their throws are made before purchasing them.  An even better idea is to reuse beads caught from years past and have friends collect beads for this purpose as well. Parade-goers should always keep in mind that no matter where they stand to watch the floats and dance along, there is a trashcan nearby. Responsible citizens of the city should keep in mind, cleaning up Mardi Gras habits takes a total community effort.

Therefore, Louisiana culture can be preserved without abusing the natural resources Mother Nature has to offer. The group advocates easy ways to make Mardi Gras greener like cycling to parades and recycling what would be parade day trash. For those ambitious enough to substantially reduce their carbon footprint, the group runs a website, www.verdigras.org, where people can volunteer to collect recyclable materials during and after the parade. Also, the website runs a blog where locals can post initiatives they have taken to make Mardi Gras greener; ideas range from homemade Mardi Gras beads crafted from old newspapers to using bikes as means of transportation.  Additionally, to bring more awareness to this grassroots campaign, there will be a Verdi Gras Masquerade Ball held on Saturday, January 21^st in Jefferson, Louisiana complete with fresh local food served on plates made from sustainable materials. Tickets can be purchased on the website. Verdi Gras is doing exactly what the group intended to a few years back, start with small effective changes that will eventually change the way locals and tourists look at the holiday. With the help of members of the Verdi Gras movement all over the city, Louisiana can preserve the splendor of its French heritage while never taking for granted the planet where it is held.