Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser along with nonprofit organization Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) call for greener Mardi Gras and urge Louisianans to do their part to reduce waste and litter this carnival season. Nungesser said litter is an issue that must be addressed for all Mardi Gras parades across Louisiana. According to the City of New Orleans, 1,162 tons (2.5 million pounds) of trash was taken to the landfill over 11 days during Mardi Gras in 2023. In 2018, 93,000 pounds of beads were found in New Orlean’s drainage system. Not only can this litter cause issues such as drain blockage, it can be harmful to humans as well as animals. When trash gets into the water system, it affects the quality of the water, possibly even polluting it with toxins. “Parades are at the heart of Louisiana’s culture, but the litter and waste generated is unsightly and harmful to our environment if left unaddressed,” he said. “Have fun and enjoy the parades, but don’t leave your trash behind.”
