TAMPA, Fla. — After the crowds clear and the pirates sail away, Gasparilla Pirate Fest leaves behind more than just memories.
City leaders and environmental groups are now focused on cleaning up thousands of parade beads to prevent long-term damage to Tampa’s waterways.
What You Need To Know
Now that the Gasparilla Pirate Fest is over, city leaders and environmental groups are working to clean up thousands of beads
Officials say they are working quickly to make sure the beads don’t make their way into Tampa’s waterways
Bead collection sites opened Monday at five locations across Tampa as part of an effort to keep discarded beads out of storm drains and local waters
Bead collection sites opened Monday at five locations across Tampa as part of an effort to keep discarded beads out of storm drains and local waters.
Officials say the beads, often tossed during the parade, can pose serious environmental risks if they end up in Tampa Bay.
According to city officials and environmental experts, parade beads contribute to plastic pollution and contain chemicals that can leach into the water.
The paint used on many beads can contain mercury, lead, and zinc, and experts say prolonged exposure to saltwater can cause the beads to break down into microplastics — harmful to marine life and human health.
Volunteers spent much of Sunday cleaning along Bayshore Boulevard, with some even diving into the water to retrieve beads before they could drift into the bay.
Others walked the parade route, collecting beads from streets and sidewalks to stop them from being washed into storm drains.
The Florida Aquarium is one of the bead collection sites participating in the cleanup effort.
Visitors who drop off beads at the aquarium will receive half-price admission as an incentive to recycle rather than discard them.
Dr. Debi Luke, senior vice president of conservation at The Florida Aquarium, said the program not only helps the environment but also supports the community.
“Once these beads are collected, we bring them to MacDonald Training Center,” Luke said. “They’re sorted, cleaned, repackaged, and repurposed for use again next year. The profits from that process support the MacDonald Training Center and help adults with disabilities.”
In addition to The Florida Aquarium, bead collection sites are open at the following locations:
Copeland Park Community Center: 11001 N. 15th St.
Kate Jackson Community Center: 821 S. Rome Ave.
Loretta Ingraham Recreation Complex: 1611 N. Hubert Ave.
MacDonald Training Center: 5420 W. Cypress St.
Cleanup crews say their work has made a significant impact. Volunteers collected more than a half-ton of trash following the parade, including approximately 1,800 strings of beads.
City officials encourage residents to use the bead collection sites to help protect Tampa Bay and ensure Gasparilla traditions can continue in a more environmentally responsible way.