Grounds Krewe
Grounds Krewe is a New Orleans 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a Sustainable Throw Catalog, the Recycle Dat parade-recycling program, and Events Waste Reduction services to redirect Mardi Gras and NOLA events away from single-use plastic waste toward locally sourced, eco-friendly alternatives.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersNew Orleans, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Grounds Krewe does
Grounds Krewe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by Brett Davis and based at 3962 Magazine St., New Orleans, with a mission to promote waste prevention, recycling, and sustainable products at New Orleans special events, particularly Mardi Gras parades. The organization operates four core programs: a Sustainable Throw Catalog of 40+ eco-friendly Mardi Gras throws (consumables such as jambalaya mix and pralines, functional items like bamboo toothbrushes and recycled plastic cups, plus body care, seeds, and jewelry) sourced from 25+ local Louisiana and U.S. small businesses; the Recycle Dat! parade-recycling initiative in its 7th year on the Napoleon & St. Charles Ave. route; the Re-Cyclists marching krewe that collects recyclables during parades; and an Events Waste Reduction consulting and equipment-rental service for festival organizers.
The technology stack is entirely off-the-shelf — Squarespace e-commerce, Calendly for in-store pickup appointments, Luma for volunteer coordination, and Givebutter for donations — with no proprietary systems, integrations, or AI/ML capabilities. Operations are delivered through a volunteer assembly model that partners with community employment programs (Youth Empowerment Project, ArcGNO) and engages schools, universities (Tulane), and corporate groups (Ochsner Health, Entergy as major sponsor) in throw-assembly and parade-recycling events. The team is extremely lean: one founding director, one operations lead, a seven-person board, and one seasonal part-time associate, with NOLA Green Drinks co-hosted monthly with Glass Half Full as the primary year-round engagement channel.
The revenue model mixes seasonal throw sales (unit pricing $0.95–$24 per throw with tiered bulk discounts, gift cards $25–$100), tax-deductible individual donations via Givebutter, corporate sponsorships (Entergy is the named major sponsor), and grant funding. Fulfillment is concentrated in a roughly 6-week pre-carnival window with pickup only at the Magazine Street location. As a 501(c)(3), the organization does not disclose revenue and operates on philanthropy rather than equity capital; reported coverage spans BBC Travel, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Atlantic, WWNO, NOLA.com, and Keep Louisiana Beautiful.
Grounds Krewe firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Grounds Krewe
- Legal name
- Grounds Krewe NOLA Inc.
- Website
- https://groundskrewe.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Grounds Krewe is a New Orleans 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a Sustainable Throw Catalog, the Recycle Dat parade-recycling program, and Events Waste Reduction services to redirect Mardi Gras and NOLA events away from single-use plastic waste toward locally sourced, eco-friendly alternatives.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Grounds Krewe industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Sustainability & Recycling Services
- NAICS
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Costume Jewelry & Novelties (3960)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Parades, Carnivals & Street Fairs (MPAGAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Party & Entertaining Disposable Supplies (CRAJAGAL), Merchandising & Onsite Retail (Concert Merch, Pop-ups) (MPAGAAAJ)
Keywords
Where Grounds Krewe is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New Orleans
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Grounds Krewe business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Sustainable Throw Catalog Sales: E-commerce sales of eco-friendly parade throws made from recycled, renewable and biodegradable materials. Products include consumables (jambalaya mix, coffee, pralines), functional items (bamboo toothbrushes, reusable cups), and novelty throws. Sales are seasonal with catalog live around August 1st and fulfillment starting 6 weeks before parade season.
- Donations and Philanthropy: Tax-deductible donations through Givebutter platform to support the non-profit's programming and mission to promote waste prevention and recycling at NOLA events.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship opportunities for organizations to support specific initiatives including the Sustainable Throw Catalog and Recycle Dat parade recycling program.
- Grant Funding: Grant support from foundations and organizations to fund waste prevention programming and operational activities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mardi Gras Chalk Set - $23.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Parade Hydration Sticks - from $2.00/throw |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mini Praline - from $0.95/throw |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Conscious Confetti - from $1.28/throw |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Basil Herb Starter Kit - from $1.78/throw |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mardi Gras Pencils Kit - from $1.84/throw |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | French Roast Coffee - from $1.90/throw |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Jambalaya Mix - from $1.86/throw |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bamboo Toothbrush Set - from $2.75/throw |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Epiphany Throws Recycled T-Shirt Necklace - $24.00 (6 pack) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Atlas Hand Made Recycled Paper Beads - from $3.00/throw |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hand Made Wood Necklace Medallions - from $3.67/throw |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Grounds Krewe 2026 T-Shirt - $22.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards - $25 to $100 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Social Media & Community Events Associate - $20/hr |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Grounds Krewe product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Grounds Krewe curates and sells eco-friendly Mardi Gras parade throws made from recycled, renewable, and biodegradable materials through its Sustainable Throw Catalog, and operates on-route parade recycling programs (Recycle Dat!) and event waste-reduction services for New Orleans festivals and special events. The organization also provides volunteer throw-assembly opportunities, the Krewe Sustainability Scorecard assessment tool, and monthly NOLA Green Drinks eco-networking events.
Product overview
Grounds Krewe is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization promoting waste prevention, recycling, and sustainable products for New Orleans events. Its core offerings include the Sustainable Throw Catalog featuring eco-friendly Mardi Gras parade throws made from recycled, renewable, and biodegradable materials; the Recycle Dat! program for on-route parade recycling; the Re-Cyclists Krewe marching program; and Events Waste Reduction services. The product portfolio includes over 40 sustainable throw products across categories: consumables (jambalaya mix, red beans, coffee, grits, popcorn, beignet mix, pralines), functional items (recycled plastic cups, bamboo toothbrushes, Swedish dishcloths), body care (soap, hand sanitizer, shampoo bar, bath soak, glitter gel), herb and flower starter kits, paper products (greeting cards, confetti, poem scrolls), and jewelry (wood medallions, paper beads). All products support Louisiana businesses or fair-trade suppliers and emphasize end-of-life sustainability.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sustainable Throw Catalog Annual catalog of eco-friendly Mardi Gras parade throws made from recycled, renewable, and biodegradable materials and sourced from local Louisiana and American small businesses. Includes consumables, functional items, body care, herb and flower starter kits, paper products, and jewelry. Purchased directly by parade-goers and Krewes, with QR-coded sustainability education on each product.
- Recycle Dat! Parade Recycling Program Volunteer-staffed parade recycling program that distributes donation bags and recycling bins along the Napoleon and St. Charles Ave. parade route during weekend day Mardi Gras parades. Collects donated throws, aluminum cans, and glass and plastic bottles, with collected materials going to ArcGNO's Mardi Gras recycle center in Metairie to provide jobs for citizens with intellectual disabilities.
- Re-Cyclists Marching Krewe Interactive marching krewe whose members collect recyclable waste from parade goers in an entertaining, participatory way instead of producing throwable waste. Functions as a public demonstration of the parade-waste-recycling model.
- Events Waste Reduction Services Waste prevention consultation, on-site recycling services, and specialized equipment rental for large and small NOLA events and festivals seeking to reduce event waste.
- Krewe Sustainability Scorecard Self-assessment tool that enables Krewes to gauge their current sustainability efforts, set future goals for low-waste Mardi Gras celebrations, and generate talking points to encourage leadership action.
- NOLA Green Drinks Monthly Eco-Happy Hour Monthly eco-happy hour event co-hosted with Glass Half Full that connects environmental professionals and enthusiasts in New Orleans in a casual, open-to-anyone setting.
Quantifiable outcome
- 7th consecutive year of Recycle Dat parade recycling program operating along Napoleon & St. Charles Ave. route
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Grounds Krewe
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Grounds Krewe technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Grounds Krewe partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ArcGNOcoreMardi Gras recycle center in Metairie operated by ArcGNO (Association for Retarded Citizens of Greater New Orleans). Throws collected through Recycle Dat program are processed at this facility, providing meaningful employment for citizens with intellectual disabilities.
- Glass Half FullcoreLocal NOLA glass recycling organization. Co-hosts monthly NOLA Green Drinks eco-happy hour with Grounds Krewe. Partner for glass bottle recycling during parade recycling initiatives.
- Youth Empowerment ProjectcoreLocal non-profit providing workforce development and employment opportunities. Community members participate in throw assembly work supported by Grounds Krewe product partnerships.
- Native Plant Initiative of Greater New OrleansminorLocal organization that collects and provides native flower seeds for the Louisiana Native Flower Starter Kit throw product.
- YLC RecyclesminorYoung Leaders of the Cure organization that was part of the original volunteer coalition when Grounds Krewe was founded in 2018.
- Mam Papaul'sminorLocal NOLA brand and family-owned business providing Étouffée Mix, Beignet Mix, and Blackened Seasoning throws through the Sustainable Throw Catalog.
- Southern Rhoades General StoreminorNOLA business providing multiple throw products including Wildflower Bath Soak, Hand Sanitizer Spray, Palo Santo Bundle, and Mardi Gras Candle Set.
- New Orleans RoastminorLocal Louisiana-owned business providing French Roast Coffee throw product. Supports employment at Youth Empowerment Project and ArcGNO.
- Camellia BrandminorLouisiana-owned family business providing Red Beans throw product. Supports community employment through throw assembly partnerships.
- Pixie Dust Biodegradable GlitterminorWoman-owned NOLA business providing Conscious Confetti and Bio Glitter Body Gel throws made from plant cellulose from eucalyptus.
- Aunt Sally's PralinesminorIconic New Orleans brand and family-owned business providing Mini Praline throw. Founded in early 1900s in French Creole community.
- Jambalaya GirlminorWoman-owned local business providing Jambalaya Mix throw product.
- Avanni SoapsminorWoman-owned Louisiana-based small business providing Made in Louisiana Shampoo Bar throw.
- Copperhead StudiosminorWoman-owned small business in Louisiana providing Hand Made Wood Necklace Medallions throw. Laser cut biodegradable wood medallions.
- Epiphany ThrowsminorLocal women-owned business providing recycled cotton t-shirt necklace throws (The Circe).
- Atlas Handmade BeadsminorNOLA small business offering beads made from recycled magazine paper. Crafted by women's art collective in Uganda.
- K & G Bath & Body PlusminorLocal business in Raceland, Louisiana providing Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub throw.
- Coffee ScienceminorLocal NOLA brand providing Cocoa Mix Throw product with Louisiana sugar and Belgian Rouge cocoa.
- Unparished FoodsminorLocal supplier providing marshmallows for Cocoa Mix Throw product.
- NOLA Soap WorksminorWoman-owned NOLA business providing Mardi Gras Soap Bar throw made with cold press method.
- The Honey JarminorAmerican business from Northern Utah providing Mardi Gras Honey Straws throw. Supports buy local, buy USA movement.
- Musgrave Pencil Companyminor100-year-old pencil factory in Shelbyville, Tennessee providing Mardi Gras Pencils Kit throw.
- Homestead GristmillminorAmerican family-owned business providing Southern Purple Grits throw. Stone ground blue corn grits.
- Riehle's Select PopcornminorAmerican family-owned business providing Purple and Gold Popcorn Seeds throw.
- Leisuremann's Cocktail MixesminorLouisiana-based business providing Mock (or not) Mix drink mix throws (Mint Julep & Margarita).
- Ms. Merita's Hard Candy SlidesminorLouisiana-based business (Scott, LA) providing Mardi Gras Sour Candies throw from family recipe.
- Halo HydrationminorUSA-based company providing Parade Hydration Sticks electrolyte drink mix throws.
- Glitter NymphminorWoman-owned NOLA business providing essential oil mix for Festin' Fragrance & Bug Spray throw.
- SwedeDishClothsminorUSA manufacturer providing Swedish Dishcloth throw - highly absorbent, dishwasher safe, reusable cloth.
- Sam Nga Blum / Little HistoriesminorLocal NOLA designer providing artwork for 100% Recycled Plastic Cup throw product.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Grounds Krewe competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- YLC Recycles (Young Leadership Council): Original volunteer coalition partner when Grounds Krewe was founded in 2018; coordinates Mardi Gras recycling infrastructure in New Orleans. Directly comparable as a New Orleans nonprofit with overlapping recycling mission and youth-volunteer pipeline.
- Glass Half Full: New Orleans-based nonprofit recycling glass bottles into coastal restoration materials; co-hosts NOLA Green Drinks with Grounds Krewe and is a strategic recycling partner. The most directly comparable peer given shared city, recycling mission, volunteer mobilization, and nonprofit structure.
- Keep Louisiana Beautiful: State-level anti-littering and sustainability nonprofit that produced a spotlight video on Grounds Krewe. Comparable as a larger but regionally focused sustainability nonprofit operating in Louisiana with similar mission, partnership-driven model, and statewide volunteer base.
- ArcGNO: Association for Retarded Citizens of Greater New Orleans; operates the Mardi Gras recycle center in Metairie that processes throws collected via Grounds Krewe's Recycle Dat program. Directly comparable peer with shared recycling and inclusive-employment mission in the same metro.
Broad incumbents
- Plastic Pollution Coalition: Global nonprofit coalition working to end plastic pollution through advocacy, education, and corporate engagement. Comparable peer given shared mission around reducing plastic waste and educating consumers, with broader geographic reach.
- Keep America Beautiful: National nonprofit with affiliate state organizations (including Keep Louisiana Beautiful) focused on litter prevention and recycling. Comparable national-scale peer for a sustainability nonprofit leveraging affiliate networks and corporate partnerships.
- Surfrider Foundation: National environmental nonprofit focused on coastal protection, plastic reduction, and beach cleanups. Comparable peer given shared nonprofit structure, plastic-waste focus, and event-driven volunteer mobilization at coastal/recreational venues.
- 5 Gyres: Environmental nonprofit focused on plastic pollution research, education, and action. Comparable peer at a broader national scale with shared mission of reducing single-use plastic waste and engaging volunteers/citizens on plastic-related issues.
- The Recycling Partnership: National nonprofit improving recycling infrastructure across the US. Comparable peer given shared nonprofit structure, recycling infrastructure mission, and reliance on corporate partnerships to fund programs.
Emerging players
- Rubicon Technologies: Technology company providing waste and recycling software for municipalities and businesses. Comparable as an adjacent player in the waste-reduction services category that Grounds Krewe addresses, though operating as a for-profit technology platform rather than a community nonprofit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Grounds Krewe social profiles
Digital presenceGrounds Krewe financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Grounds Krewe leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Grounds Krewe funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Grounds Krewe M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Grounds Krewe
What does Grounds Krewe do?
Grounds Krewe curates and sells eco-friendly Mardi Gras parade throws made from recycled, renewable, and biodegradable materials through its Sustainable Throw Catalog, and operates on-route parade recycling programs (Recycle Dat!) and event waste-reduction services for New Orleans festivals and special events. The organization also provides volunteer throw-assembly opportunities, the Krewe Sustainability Scorecard assessment tool, and monthly NOLA Green Drinks eco-networking events.
Is Grounds Krewe a public or private company?
Grounds Krewe is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Grounds Krewe founded?
Grounds Krewe was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Grounds Krewe based?
Grounds Krewe is headquartered in New Orleans, United States, in the North America region.
How does Grounds Krewe make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Sustainable Throw Catalog Sales are the primary driver. The others are donations and Philanthropy, corporate Sponsorships and grant Funding.
Who are Grounds Krewe's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are YLC Recycles (Young Leadership Council), Glass Half Full, Keep Louisiana Beautiful and ArcGNO. Broad incumbents are Plastic Pollution Coalition, Keep America Beautiful, Surfrider Foundation, 5 Gyres and The Recycling Partnership. Rubicon Technologies is listed as an emerging player.
Does Grounds Krewe have an API?
No public API is recorded for Grounds Krewe.
What industry is Grounds Krewe in?
Grounds Krewe's product category is Event Sustainability & Recycling Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAEAE, Community Parades, Carnivals & Street Fairs, with a secondary code of CRAJAGAL, Party & Entertaining Disposable Supplies. Its NAICS code is 71 and its SIC code is 7990.