Florida Aquarium offers discount on tickets for recycling Gasparilla beads

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Gasparilla is almost here, which means there will be millions of beads given away -- beads which can end up in the streets or even in the water.

This year, the Florida Aquarium wants to keep those beads out of the bay by offering a discount on tickets.

The aquarium is accepting beads for recycling from Jan. 19 to Jan. 31. Visitors can get $10 off a general admission ticket in exchange for 10 pounds of beads. Those who bring 30 pounds or more will get free admission.

Florida Aquarium President and CEO Roger Germann says every bead recycled is one less that can enter the waterways and harm marine life.

"If folks can do their part, whether they catch a bead, make sure they recycle it. You see a bead on the ground, make sure you pick it up," Germann told FOX 13. "Just make sure that we have Gasparilla, we have our waterways to celebrate for future generations to come."

For more information on the Florida Aquarium's bead recycling efforts, click here.