Got beads?
If you do, there's more than one way to keep them from becoming another plastic byproduct of Tampa's annual Gasparilla celebration. There are plenty of ways to keep the plastic beads out of the waste stream, whether you want to donate those beads for reuse or recycle them.
For reuse options, you can turn in your beads at the MacDonald Training Center (5420 W. Cypress St., Tampa), which offers training programs for the developmentally disabled. There, workers will clean them and package them — and sell them back to Gasparilla Krewes for future celebrations (starting in the spring). The good folks there have a collection bin outside the front door, so you can drop off those unwanted beads any time of the day or night. And yes, Krewes, you can buy them at MacDonald Training Center cheaper than you can buy new. Because every cent you don't spend on beads you can spend on beer, or, if you don't drink, your costume.
Want to recycle the beads instead? Starting February 4, the City of Tampa will begin collecting beads for recycling, although they make it pretty clear in this Facebook post that, under no circumstances, should you place the beads in your recycling bin — it fucks with the equipment, so don't, OK?
Instead, drop 'em off here:
Copeland Park Community Center, 11001 N. 15th St., Tampa
Kate Jackson Community Center, 821 S. Rome Ave., Tampa
Loretta Ingraham Recreation Complex, 1611 N. Hubert Ave., Tampa
Port Tampa Community Center, 4702 W. McCoy St., Tampa
Have questions about bead recycling and reuse? Email the City of Tampa or call 'em at 813-348-6504.
