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Donating unwanted Gasparilla beads helps local non-profit

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Updated  January 31, 2022 5:29pm EST
Gasparilla Pirate Invasion
FOX 13 News

Bead-Free Bay program benefits Tampa non-profit

The city of Tampa is collecting Gasparilla beads in an effort to recycle and re-purpose them for future Gasparillas.

TAMPA, Fla. - The Gasparilla fun might be over, but now you can be part of preparations for next year’s festivities while helping the environment.

The city of Tampa is collecting Gasparilla beads in an effort to recycle and re-purpose them for future Gasparillas.

Beads can pose a threat to marine life if they end up in the water. The plastic can take a thousand years to break down into smaller pieces called microplastics, which never decompose.

The Florida Aquarium is offering an incentive as well to encourage people to participate in the drive. For every 5 gallon bucket of beads a person donates, they can receive a half price ticket for admission. 

Pirates told to keep ye beads out of the bay

It's that time of year again. When pirates invade Tampa Bay, when wannabe pirates have a party, and when everyone doesn't mind a bead or two. But what happens to them once the big day is over?

The Florida Aquarium is collecting beads now through February 5.

The Aquarium then donates the beads to the MacDonald Training Center, a nonprofit empowering people with disabilities. The program helps provide valuable vocational training to the Center’s clients.

People can also take unwanted beads to the following collection sites through May 2022.

  • Kate Jackson Community Center – 821 S Rome Ave.
  • Loretta Ingraham Recreation Complex – 1611 N Hubert Ave.
  • Copeland Park Center – 11001 N 15th St.
  • MacDonald Training Center – 5420 W Cypress St.

Learn more at tampa.gov/beadfreebay.