FL Aquarium Collecting Used Gasparilla Beads To Keep Them Out Of Tampa Bay

TAMPA, FL — Thousands of beads are tossed into the air to paradegoers every Gasparilla season and, often, many end up in Tampa Bay. To help keep plastics out of the local waterways, the Florida Aquarium is partnering with the city of Tampa again on the Bead-Free Bay initiative.

“The effort turns a fun tradition into a meaningful way to protect the environment while supporting conservation and community programs,” the aquarium said in a news release.

Through Feb. 22, guests who bring their Gasparilla beads to the aquarium can get 50 percent off up to four general admission tickets.

The bead collection started Saturday, on the heels of the Children’s Gasparilla Parade, which took place that same day along Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard to Edison Avenue.

“Bead-Free Bay gives our community a simple way to make a lasting impact,” Dr. Debborah Luke, senior vice president of conservation at the aquarium, said. “When people choose to recycle their beads after the celebration ends, they are directly helping protect marine wildlife and supporting programs that change lives.”

The program reduces plastic pollution and creates opportunities for adults with disabilities.

Beads and other non-biodegradable materials pose a serious risk to wildlife. Marine animals can mistake beads for food, and the plastic can take up to 1,000 years to break down into microplastics. These particles remain in the environment, enter the food chain, and threaten marine ecosystems.

Recycling beads through the aquarium keeps plastics out of Tampa Bay and protects local wildlife.

Every strand of beads collected is sent to the MacDonald Training Center, where adults with disabilities and volunteers clean, sanitize and repackage the beads to reuse at future events.

Proceeds from reselling the beads benefit the training center’s programs, including vocational training, employment pathways, residential services and life-enrichment opportunities.

Following the Gasparilla festivities, divers from The Florida Aquarium, along with volunteers and partners, will also conduct a post-parade underwater cleanup to remove beads and other debris from local waterways. Previous efforts have recovered 92 pounds of waste, the aquarium said.