Grounds Krewe

Mission: To promote and provide waste prevention, recycling and sustainable products for NOLA events. Vision: A special event culture that retains all of its enjoyment while having the lowest impact possible on our community spaces and our planet’s resources by creating a setting in which environmental stewardship is both convenient and contagious. Story: Grounds Krewe was formed in 2018 by Brett Davis, a native New Orleanian and lifelong environmentalist. Growing up on the edge of the Irish Channel, just a few blocks from the uptown parade route, he remembers a time when catching two pockets full of snap on necklaces and a few doubloons was a good haul. Upon growing up and returning to the city after several years away, he couldn’t help but notice how the culture and practice of Mardi Gras had been transformed. The amount of unnecessary waste left on the streets had become both disturbing and embarrassing. Realizing that little was being done about it, he assembled a group of volunteers from YLC Recycles and ArcGNO and lead the first major “on the route” throw and disposable waste recycling program. The positive feedback he received inspired him to continue working for a better Mardi Gras and consider waste prevention at a range of local events. In 2019 Grounds Krewe was granted status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused solely on responsible use of New Orleans’ community spaces and our planet’s resources.

Grounds Krewe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to promote waste prevention, recycling and sustainable products at New Orleans special events. The organization has several efforts aimed specifically at reducing the 2.1 million pounds of littered street waste produced by parades in just 12 days of the Carnival season in New Orleans. Programs include: 1. An “on the parade route” recycling program, now branded “Recycle Dat!” which collects Mardi Gras throws, aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles to be reused or recycled, in partnership with the City of New Orleans and over 20 sponsors, partners and paid organizations. 2. The "Sustainable Throw Catalog”, which meets the growing demand for affordable, eco-friendly throws that are biodegradable, functional, consumable and/or made from recycled materials. 3. Through the "Sustainable Throw Catalog," Grounds Krewe is also establishing a local, sustainable throw economy by collaborating with underserved community members in New Orleans and sourcing eco-friendly Mardi Gras parade throws from local, low-income, and minority-owned businesses. This initiative has thus far provided paid employment opportunities for individuals with exceptionalities and the formerly incarcerated.