Tampa Republic

The City of Tampa's Department of Solid Waste is urging attendees of the Gasparilla Children’s Parade to participate in the Bead-Free Bay initiative by bringing unwanted beads to designated collection sites. This effort aims to divert beads from Tampa's waste stream and prepare them for reuse next year.

From January 27 through May 2025, revelers can drop off their unwanted beads at several locations, including Kate Jackson Community Center, Loretta Ingraham Recreation Complex, Copeland Park Center, and MacDonald Training Center. Participants are asked to ensure that only beads are deposited without any additional items like costumes or trash.

The Bead-Free Bay initiative highlights the environmental impact of plastic beads, which pose a threat to marine wildlife and contribute to pollution as they do not decompose easily. The program works in partnership with the MacDonald Training Center to clean and repurpose collected beads for future parades while providing vocational skills for individuals with disabilities.

Since its inception in 2018, over 20,750 pounds of beads have been processed with help from Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful volunteers and city staff. Mayor Jane Castor encouraged participation: "We encourage all our pirates to give back their loot through the Bead Reuse Program."

The campaign collaborates with organizations such as the Florida Aquarium and Pirate Water Taxi. For more information on bead collection efforts or service updates, residents can visit www.tampa.gov/BeadFreeBay or download the Tampa Trash and Recycling app.

For inquiries, contact the City of Tampa Utilities Call Center at (813) 274-8811.