LSU Develops Biodegradable Mardi Gras Beads to Reduce Waste

New 'PlantMe Beads' made from 3D-printed starch-based material with okra seeds aim to make Carnival season more sustainable

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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As Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans generate millions of pounds of plastic bead waste each year, researchers at Louisiana State University have developed a new biodegradable alternative called 'PlantMe Beads'. These 3D-printed beads are made from a starch-based material called polylactic acid (PLA) and contain okra seeds, allowing them to be planted and decompose naturally. Three Mardi Gras krewes are testing the new biodegradable beads for the 2026 Carnival season.

Why it matters

The massive amount of plastic beads thrown during Mardi Gras has become an environmental problem, clogging storm drains and polluting nearby Lake Pontchartrain. The shift to more sustainable throws like the PlantMe Beads aims to reduce the festival's ecological impact while preserving the tradition of catching and collecting Mardi Gras trinkets.

The details

The PlantMe Beads were developed by graduate student Alexis Strain and Professor Naohiro Kato at LSU's biology lab. They first experimented with algae-based bioplastic beads in 2018, but found the production costs too high. The current PlantMe Beads are 3D-printed from PLA, a commercially available starch-based material, and contain okra seeds that allow the beads to decompose after being planted. For the 2026 Carnival season, LSU has produced 3,000 PlantMe Bead necklaces to give to three participating krewes for testing and feedback.

  • The first iteration of LSU's biodegradable beads were made from algae in 2018.
  • The current PlantMe Beads were developed in 2026 ahead of that year's Mardi Gras celebrations.

The players

Alexis Strain

A graduate student in biological sciences at Louisiana State University who has worked on developing the biodegradable PlantMe Beads.

Naohiro Kato

An associate professor of biology at Louisiana State University who oversees the lab where the biodegradable Mardi Gras beads are being developed.

Kristi Trail

The executive director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy, an organization concerned about the environmental impact of the millions of pounds of plastic Mardi Gras beads.

Greg Rhoades

The co-founder of the Krewe of Freret, one of the Mardi Gras organizations that has banned plastic beads and is testing the new biodegradable PlantMe Beads.

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What they’re saying

“Our riders loved it because the spectators don't value this anymore. It's become so prolific that they dodge out of the way when they see cheap plastic beads coming at them.”

— Greg Rhoades, Krewe of Freret co-founder (Greenwich Time)

“So wait a minute, if you want to keep it, the petroleum-plastic Mardi Gras bead is the best, because this won't last.”

— Naohiro Kato, Associate Professor of Biology, LSU (Greenwich Time)

“In 2025, we were the first krewe — major parading organization — to say, 'No more. No more cheap beads. Let's throw things that people value, that people appreciate, that can be used year-round.'”

— Greg Rhoades, Krewe of Freret co-founder (Greenwich Time)

What’s next

LSU researchers are continuing to experiment with new 3D-printing materials that can biodegrade quickly without needing to be planted. They are also exploring ways to make algae-based bioplastic beads more commercially viable as a sustainable alternative.

The takeaway

The development of biodegradable PlantMe Beads by LSU represents a promising step towards making Mardi Gras celebrations more environmentally friendly. By embracing less wasteful throws that people value, Mardi Gras krewes can reduce the massive plastic bead pollution while preserving the spirit of the annual festival.