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Press

For Immediate Press Release
What: Greening Mardi Gras: A conference on ecological and economic transformation
When: Tuesday, December 4th, 2012 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Cafe Istanbul at the Healing Center 2372 St Claude Ave, New Orleans
Who: Verdi Gras, Krewe of Rex, Krewe of Kolossos, Krewe of Chewbacchus, ARC, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Zombeads, Life City, All Things Local Radio WGSO 990 & many more Tickets: Free for all Krewes, Creators and Interested Parties encouraged to attend
Contact: Katrina Brees email: katrinabrees@gmail.com 504-905-2830
Websites: www.verdigras.org, www.kolossos.org, www.zombeads.biz, www.arcgno.org, www.mylifecity.com, www.labucketbrigade.org, www.rexorganization.com, www.chewbacchus.org.

Greening The Gras:
A Conference on Ecological and Economic Transformation

Carnival krewes and creators will be coming together December 4th for a monumental conference. At the heart of the discussions will be presentations of alternatives to importing Chinese plastic beads. With a mindblowing $50,000 per block of plastic imports being thrown by superkrewes, the time has come to recognize the ecological and economic impact this has on our beautiful city. This conference is intended to empower krewe members to make better choices, while also strengthening the local economy.

Organizations like Verdi Gras and All Things Local Radio have been spreading the message
of a greener Carnival with their focus on “the show, not the throw”. Artist groups like Krewe of Kolossos, Chewbacchus, and Zombeads have been busy making creative prototypes for eco- conscious floats and bead alternatives. Organizations such as the ARC and the Louisiana Bucket Brigade have been making a huge impact by collecting and redistributing used beads. Despite a handful of Carnival enthusiasts dedicating their lives to greening Carnival, much is left to be done.

Each year Krewe members competitively purchase enough petroleum based Mardi Gras beads to equal 10% of the BP oil spill. This year, shoppers will be given the power to make some very important changes. This conference will be offering a cornucopia of fantastic alternatives including locally produced beads, low-cost craft items, and tasty edibles such as small bags of Jambalaya mix. Those looking for that shiny Chinese plastic will still find many eco-conscious options and be able to purchase low-cost redistributed Mardi Gras beads.

While many view the Chinese beads as the symbol of Mardi Gras, this conference aims to help Krewes rediscover the truth of the matter. Mardi Gras only became synonymous with these beads in very recent history. While the cheap bead is designed to provide a connection between the Krewe and the community, the opposite is actually the result. Many tourists and locals see these beads as destructive and unnecessary. As a community, the loss of our local cottage industries and artistic heritage is a hidden cost we pay for these beads. The 8000+ tons of trash produced annually is the actual legacy of the bead as it retires in a landfill and begins to oxidize, releasing toxins into the air, land, and water. The Krewe of Rex, who originally introduced the glass Mardi Gras bead in 1900, will be speaking on the subject and helping lead the way towards a greener Carnival.