Turns out those leftover Gasparilla beads are actually worth their weight in gold.
The Florida Aquarium is offering free or discounted prices on admission, depending on how many pounds of beads you bring in.
According to a press release, from now until Jan. 31, guests who bring 10 pounds of beads get $10 off their admission, 20 pounds equals $20 off admission. Start a monopoly, collect 30 pounds or more and admission is free.
The Aquarium donates the beads to Macdonald Training Center, an educational center for the disabled, where they sort the beads and resell them to be used next year.
This is the second year the aquarium has collected leftover beads. Since they can’t be recycled, according to the press release, “the community’s best choice for reducing waste at this event is the reduction and reuse of the beads.”
Don’t want to visit The Florida Aquarium? The City of Tampa is also collecting beads starting Wednesday, Jan. 22 at various locations.
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