Tampa Republic

Tampa's Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management has launched the Bead Reuse Program, in partnership with the MacDonald Training Center, to encourage Gasparilla pirates to recycle their unwanted beads. The program aims to divert these beads from Tampa's waste stream and repurpose them for future use in the Gasparilla parade.

Since its inception, the Bead Reuse Program has been a success, with over 330,000 individual bead necklaces, weighing over 10,000 lbs., collected and delivered to the MacDonald Training Center for cleaning, repackaging, and reuse. The program not only benefits the environment but also provides valuable vocational skills to the clients of the training center.

Mayor Jane Castor has expressed her appreciation for the generosity of Tampa pirates who have participated in the Bead Reuse Program in previous years. She encourages everyone to contribute to this initiative, stating, "We encourage all our pirates to give back their loot through the Bead Reuse Program. I'm hoping maybe this year we can set a record."

Gasparilla revelers are urged to bring their unwanted beads to designated collection sites, including the Kate Jackson Community Center, Loretta Ingraham Recreation Complex, Copeland Park Center, and the MacDonald Training Center, between January 29 and May 2024.

The Bead Reuse Program is part of Tampa's efforts to promote sustainability and reduce waste. The city's Bead Free Bay awareness campaign, along with the Bead Reuse Program, aims to protect marine life and address the harmful effects of non-biodegradable items like beads on the environment.

"Beads and other non-biodegradable items are incredibly harmful to our environment and pose serious threats to marine wildlife," warns Tampa's Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management. These beads take thousands of years to break down into microplastics, which remain persistent in natural ecosystems. By participating in the Bead Reuse Program, Gasparilla pirates can help mitigate this environmental threat.

To learn more about the Bead Reuse Collection Program, visit the official website at www.tampa.gov/BeadFreeBay.

For further inquiries, contact:

306 East Jackson Street

Tampa, Florida 33602

(813) 274-8211