Biodegradable Mardi Gras Beads Aim to Make Carnival More Sustainable

New Orleans krewes experiment with eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastic beads.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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As Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans generate millions of pounds of plastic bead waste, some krewes are turning to biodegradable alternatives. The Krewe of Freret banned plastic beads last year and is now throwing 3D-printed 'PlantMe Beads' made from a starch-based material that can be planted to grow okra. LSU researchers have also developed algae-based bioplastic beads, though production costs remain high. The shift toward more sustainable throws is part of a growing trend to reduce Mardi Gras' environmental impact.

Why it matters

Plastic Mardi Gras beads have become a major environmental problem in New Orleans, clogging storm drains and polluting nearby Lake Pontchartrain. With millions of pounds of bead waste generated each year, krewes and local organizations are seeking alternatives to reduce the celebration's ecological footprint.

The details

The Krewe of Freret made the radical decision last year to ban plastic beads from their parade, opting instead for 3D-printed 'PlantMe Beads' made from a starch-based, biodegradable material called polylactic acid (PLA). These beads contain okra seeds that can be planted to help the beads decompose. LSU researchers have also developed algae-based bioplastic beads, though production costs were too high for widespread adoption. This year, three krewes will be throwing the PlantMe Beads as part of a pilot program to get feedback from spectators.

  • The Krewe of Freret banned plastic beads from their parade in 2025.
  • LSU researchers first developed biodegradable algae-based beads in 2018.
  • For the 2026 Carnival season, LSU students have produced 3,000 PlantMe Bead necklaces.

The players

Krewe of Freret

A Mardi Gras parading organization in New Orleans that banned plastic beads from their parade in 2025.

Greg Rhoades

Co-founder of the Krewe of Freret.

Alexis Strain

A graduate student at Louisiana State University who helped develop the PlantMe Beads.

Naohiro Kato

An associate professor of biology at Louisiana State University who oversees the research into biodegradable Mardi Gras beads.

Kristi Trail

Executive director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy, a group studying the environmental impact of Mardi Gras waste.

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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, Co-founder, Krewe of Freret (wral.com)

“Beads are obviously a problem, but we generate about 2.5 million pounds of trash from Mardi Gras.”

— Kristi Trail, Executive Director, Pontchartrain Conservancy (wral.com)

“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, Louisiana State University (wral.com)

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.

The takeaway

The shift toward biodegradable Mardi Gras throws represents a growing effort to reduce the environmental impact of the annual celebration. By embracing more sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic beads, New Orleans krewes are leading the way in making Carnival season greener and more eco-friendly.