Mardi Gras is over, it’s time to clean up

Recycle center works to reduce Carnival waste

By Sophia Maxim svmaxim@my. loyno.edu

Now that Mardi Gras celebrations have concluded, efforts across the city have continued to combat and reduce the waste produced by the parades. As floats rolled down the streets, countless arms flailed in the air, competing for the anticipated prize – a gleaming strand of metallic pearls. The moment these beads were caught or hit the ground, they lost their fleeting value.

Following the parades, the fate of the thousands of beads thrown during Mardi Gras has become an environmental concern. While some may be cherished and kept as mementos, many throws are discarded and left to clog up city drainage or contribute to the city’s landfills.

Last year, Mardi Gras celebrations sent 1,150 tons of waste to the landfill, according to the City of New Orleans. This waste can clog the city’s storm drainage system, leading to flooding issues. In 2018, krewes pulled 46 tons of beads from the catch basins near the main parade route, according to New Orleans city officials, as reported by The Times-Picayune.

Robert Thomas, Ph.D., Loyola’s environmental communication director, has observed the evolution of a “litter culture” that normalizes leaving large amounts of trash and throws behind.

“We always measure the success of Mardi Gras by the amount of garbage that’s picked up,” he said.

In response to environmental concerns, the city formed a recycling initiative called Recycle

Dat in partnership with organizations like Arc of Greater New Orleans’ Mardi Gras Recycle Center. ArcGNO employs and supports people with intellectual disabilities while reducing Mardi Gras waste, according to their website. Many of the beads left behind are picked up and taken to recycling centers like ArcGNO to be sorted, repackaged, and sold back to krewes the following year.

ArcGNO works with grocery stores, hotels, schools, and various local organizations to supply recycling bins across the city. This year, Loyola’s Student Government Association has partnered with ArcGNO to provide recycling bins in every residence hall.

“Loyola can contribute to cleaning up the city by recycling the large amount of beads students bring back to campus,” said Rowan Sawyer, an SGA senator-at-large and co-chair of the sustainability committee. “We must play our part in the mission to reduce the harmful residue that Mardi Gras leaves behind.”

THE MAROON MARCH 3, 2023

Loyola Chorale gets “once in a life time” opportunity to perform with Italian tenor

By Macie Batson mmbatson@my.loyno.edu

“Nothing could really prepare me for being that close to one of the greatest tenors of all time,” said Loyola senior Ava Lipford. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Lipford, like many others in the Loyola Chorale, performed in a 60-person ensemble alongside famous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli early last month.

The opportunity resulted from the Director of Choral Activities, Margaret Frazier, and her connection with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Frazier said that she and her local choir, NOVA Chorale, have been playing with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra for years and that when Bocelli’s management contacted the LPO for recommendations, they suggested her. As the choral contractor, Frazier felt confident about hiring the students as part of the choir.

“I have been so impressed with the professionalism and work ethic of my students,” Frazier said. “I love to hire them for gigs because I can count on them to be prepared and reliable—and it’s so much fun making music together with them.”

It’s always good when students can see the jobs they may be hired to do, Frazier said, from her part as the contractor to the students as the backup choir to the crew and other performers in the show.

Lipford said that, aside from performing, the most memorable part of the process was telling their family about it.

“My grandma and my great aunt both love Bocelli. And so being able to call them and be like, you know, I’m going to be performing in his accompanying choir was very awesome,” they said. Lipford also said that their mother was able to secure a ticket and fly in at the last minute to see it happen, so having her there was a real treat for them.

See BOCELLI, page 9

Sophia Maxim/The Maroon

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