Though some of these people are volunteers, a great number of salaries have to be paid, including those to three electricians and a technician. After competition, the entire frame of the costume is striped. Only fibreglass rods are saved. They're thrown away. Former Queen of Carnival Allison Brown gave an explanation.
Carnival is farewell to the flesh.
The costumes go the way of the flesh. Also, there's no room to store the costumes, which sometimes have a reach of more than 20 feet and spread out twice that. Only costumes that till need to make appearances or winning costumes are kept by the mas makers, and even then, only if there is space. That costume is still alive and well, and resides at the Callaloo Company along with other champion costumes.