Grounds Krewe Debuts Eco-Friendly “Flower Power” Throw Packages for Krewe of Iris

 

NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Grounds Krewe, a nonprofit that helps New Orleans events improve sustainability through waste prevention, recycling and eco- friendly products, has created the first krewe-branded package of sustainable throws for the Krewe of Iris parade in 2022.

The “Flower Power” Package consists of 106 throws that are biodegradable, consumable, functional, made from sustainable materials and promote Louisiana-based organizations. Grounds Krewe designed, assembled and delivered the throws, which the all-female krewe will toss along the Uptown parade route on Saturday, February 26th, 2022.

Local and sustainable throws in the Krewe of Iris Flower Power package include:
– Throw-sized jambalaya mix, red beans and coffee from NOLA companies – Carnival colored soap with bio-glitter from a Port Allen-based artisan
– Bamboo toothbrushes with Iris purple and white bristles
– Recycled paper pencil sets in a Kraft paper tube
– Cups made from 100% recycled plastic

Each throw has a unique Krewe of Iris design, is free of any commercial logos and contains a QR code that links to the backstory and benefits behind each throw.

“The Krewe of Iris is the perfect parade for this initiative,” said Brett Davis, Founding Director of Grounds Krewe. “It’s a family-friendly day parade with final weekend exposure and local women who care about our environment, the city and the health and safety of their throws. When spectators catch these items, they will be able to see that these throws are different and unique, and they can learn about the item’s benefits just by scanning its QR code with their phone camera.”

Since 2018 Grounds Krewe has designed and implemented waste prevention and recycling initiatives aimed at reducing the impacts of Carnival on the local environment and infrastructure. For three years, the nonprofit’s “On The Route Parade Recycling” programs have captured unwanted throws, aluminum cans and plastic bottles in partnership with ArcGNO, Republic Services and several daytime parade krewes on the Uptown route.

In 2020 Grounds Krewe expanded its parade waste prevention efforts by successfully piloting an online “Sustainable Throw Catalog” of “quality over quantity” throws made from eco-friendly materials and local products. The assembly of some throws helps employ local residents in need of work, including members from the Youth Empowerment Project and ArcGNO, who helped to sticker, stuff and tie the consumable throws. Volunteers from Isidore Newman High School also contributed to this year’s krewe-branded throw assembly.

The City of New Orleans estimates that sanitation workers collect at least 150 tons of garbage during a typical parade season, a number that Grounds Krewe aims to reduce in 2022. The nonprofit also hopes to promote a “local throws economy” by steering millions of dollars spent on disposable parade throws each year away from factories overseas and back towards high-value items made closer to home.

“The Krewe of Iris is proud to support Grounds Krewe’s work by being the first krewe to offer its members these eco-friendly throws that blend tradition with awareness,” said Krewe of Iris Captain Kristin Danflous. “We love the mission, ideas and organizations that these throws support and can’t wait to share them on parade day!”

Learn more at: www.groundskrewe.org/iris-flower-power-package

 

 

 

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