Happy Fat Tuesday! The party in New Orleans is in full swing today, but did you ever stop to think about what happens after the parade and party ends? Every year, an estimated 25 million pounds of beads arrives in New Orleans from China, and it’s unthinkable how much of that ends up on the streets for clean up crews. That’s a lot of plastic going to the landfill! Here’s some creative ways to reuse all those beads!

Colorful Bowl & Vase Fillers

Take strings of beads and fill up a bowl or tray. Put a couple of candles in the middle of the bowl or tray. Mardi Gras beads also work well in vases in lieu of glass beads or stones.