Led by Grounds Krewe, New Orleans & Company, Every Can Counts U.S., Glass Half Full, Osprey Initiative and the City of New Orleans’ Office of Sustainability, alongside presenting sponsors Entergy Corporation and Dr Pepper, the RecycleDAT! Coalition announces the 2026 achievements of the initiative in its fourth year of promoting a more sustainable Mardi Gras.
The RecycleDat! Initiative successfully diverted 61,219 pounds of recyclable materials from landfills during the 2026 Carnival season. This total includes 6,142 pounds of aluminum, which is roughly 197,000 cans; 1,691 pounds of plastic, which is roughly 76,000 bottles; 34,741 pounds of glass, which is roughly 46,000 bottles: and 18,646 pounds of Mardi Gras beads and throws. Building on prior success, this year’s program introduced new strategies and expanded geographically, demonstrating the growing demand for sustainable Mardi Gras practices across the region.
“RecycleDAT! 2026 showed what’s possible when strong partnerships and community participation come together,” said Brett Davis, founding director, Grounds Krewe. “Each year, we’re seeing more people embrace the opportunity to celebrate Mardi Gras in a way that’s both fun and responsible. The continued growth of this program reflects a real shift in how our community approaches sustainability during Carnival and beyond.”
“Every Can Counts U.S. was proud to sponsor RecycleDAT! for a third consecutive year. Our goal was to recycle as many used beverage cans along the Mardi Gras parade routes, as well as in New Orleans bars and restaurants, and at Recycle World, where we exhibited an aluminum PixelCan art display,” said Scott Breen, president of Can Manufacturers Institute, lead organizer of Every Can Counts U.S. “When recycled, 97 percent of aluminum beverage cans become new cans, and on average, aluminum beverage cans go from recycling bin to a new can in less than 60 days. Best of all, the cans collected this year will be sold to a local scrap yard – EMR Metal Recycling, with the revenue generated donated back to Grounds Krewe, supporting future recycling efforts in New Orleans.”
This year’s initiative featured a combination of returning programs and new innovations designed to maximize waste diversion.
Published March 2026