From Parade to Purpose: Recycle Gasparilla Beads at The Florida Aquarium

January 23, 2026

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Every Gasparilla season, thousands of beads are tossed into the air, and too many end up in Tampa Bay. To help keep plastics out of the local waterways, The Florida Aquarium is once again partnering with the City of Tampa on the Bead-Free Bay initiative. The effort turns a fun tradition into a meaningful way to protect the environment while supporting conservation and community programs.

From January 24 through February 22, 2026, guests who bring their Gasparilla beads to the Aquarium can enjoy 50% off up to four general admission tickets. The program reduces plastic pollution and creates opportunities for adults with disabilities.

“Bead-Free Bay gives our community a simple way to make a lasting impact,” said Dr. Debborah Luke, Senior Vice President of Conservation at The Florida Aquarium. “When people choose to recycle their beads after the celebration ends, they are directly helping protect marine wildlife and supporting programs that change lives.”

**CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO & PHOTOS**
Video includes the Aquarium’s bead bin, packaging and sorting beads, and an underwater dive cleanup

Protecting Wildlife, One Bead at a Time
Beads and other non-biodegradable materials may seem harmless, but they pose a serious risk to wildlife. Marine animals can mistake beads for food, and the plastic can take up to 1,000 years to break down into microplastics. These particles remain in the environment, enter the food chain, and threaten marine ecosystems. Recycling beads through the Aquarium keeps plastics out of Tampa Bay and protects local wildlife.

A Second Life for Gasparilla Beads
Instead of ending up in the water, every strand of beads collected is sent to the MacDonald Training Center (MTC), where adults with disabilities and volunteers clean, sanitize, and repackage the beads to reuse at future events. Proceeds from reselling the beads benefit MTC’s programs, including vocational training, employment pathways, residential services, and life-enrichment opportunities.

Beyond the Drop-Off
Following the Gasparilla festivities, divers from The Florida Aquarium, along with volunteers and partners, will conduct a post-parade underwater cleanup to remove beads and other debris from local waterways. Previous efforts have recovered 92 pounds of waste, showing the power of community action in protecting the Bay.

For more information about The Florida Aquarium and Bead-Free Bay, click here.