Hope you survived Mardi Gras. You probably have a house full of glitter and beads now. We sure do. Before you throw away your loot, consider your other options, such as DIY projects and recycling.

Looks for these purple and gold bead recycling bins around the metro area. Arc of New Orleans will recycle your Mardi Gras beads and throws. (photo by Carlie Kollath Wells/New in NOLA)

Mardi Gras beads are a good way to add some flair to your house. One of our favorite DIY bead projects – medallion magnets. See that idea plus 23 other creative things to do with Mardi Gras beads here.

Just want all your Mardi Gras stuff gone fast? Consider donating it to Arc of New Orleans. This nonprofit uses your beads to help employ people intellectual disabilities and delays in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes.

Look for the purple and gold Arc bins at these locations:

• 925 S. Labarre Rd., Metairie
• 5700 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans
• 333 Sala Avenue, Westwego
• 3406 Hessmer Avenue, Metairie
• Clearview Mall
• Pontchartrain Center, Kenner
• Neurological Rehabilitation Center, Covington
• Whole Foods (Magazine, Broad Street, Veterans)
• Mardi Gras World
• New Orleans Public Library – children’s room at the main library
• New Orleans Public Library – Algiers Regional
• New Orleans Public Library – Alvar branch
• New Orleans Public Library – Children’s Resource Center
• New Orleans Public Library – Martin Luther King branch
• New Orleans Public Library – Mid-City branch

@NewInNOLA If you recycle beads at the Main Library you can feed the Bead Gator! He’s so hungry for beads. pic.twitter.com/reRiEB8Tpz

— NOLA Public Library (@NOLALibrary) February 23, 2015

Other charities:

• Feet First Stores and NOLA Couture have bead collection bins. The proceeds go toward animal rescue.
• The Rusty Nail has collection bins for St. Michael Special School.