Biodegradable Mardi Gras Beads Aim to Make Carnival More Sustainable

New Orleans krewes are embracing eco-friendly bead alternatives to reduce plastic waste.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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As Mardi Gras in New Orleans generates millions of pounds of plastic bead waste each year, some krewes are transitioning to biodegradable bead 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 contains okra seeds, allowing the beads to decompose. Other krewes are also exploring more sustainable throw options like reusable hats and other items that spectators will value and reuse.

Why it matters

Plastic Mardi Gras beads have become an environmental problem, clogging storm drains and polluting nearby Lake Pontchartrain. The shift to biodegradable and reusable throws aims to reduce the massive amount of single-use plastic waste generated during the annual celebration.

The details

The "PlantMe Beads" developed at Louisiana State University are 3D-printed from a starch-based material called polylactic acid (PLA) that contains okra seeds, allowing the beads to decompose. For the 2026 Carnival season, LSU students have produced 3,000 PlantMe Bead necklaces to give to three krewes for feedback. Other krewes like Freret are also moving away from cheap plastic beads and instead throwing items like baseball hats and other reusable goods that spectators will value and keep.

  • Mardi Gras is celebrated annually in New Orleans.
  • The Krewe of Freret banned plastic beads in their 2025 parade.
  • LSU students produced 3,000 PlantMe Bead necklaces for the 2026 Carnival season.

The players

Krewe of Freret

A Mardi Gras parading organization in New Orleans that banned plastic beads in their 2025 parade and now throws biodegradable and reusable items.

Pontchartrain Conservancy

A non-profit organization that works to protect and restore the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, which is impacted by plastic Mardi Gras beads washed into the lake.

Naohiro Kato

An associate professor of biology at Louisiana State University who has been working on developing biodegradable Mardi Gras bead alternatives.

Alexis Strain

A graduate student at Louisiana State University who has been experimenting with 3D-printed biodegradable "PlantMe Beads" made from a starch-based material.

Greg Rhoades

The co-founder of the Krewe of Freret, which was the first major parading organization to ban cheap plastic Mardi Gras 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, Co-founder, Krewe of Freret

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

— Kristi Trail, Executive Director, Pontchartrain Conservancy

“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, Louisiana State University

“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, Co-founder, Krewe of Freret

What’s next

LSU is continuing to experiment with new biodegradable materials and exploring ways to make the production of algae-based bioplastic beads more commercially viable. The university is also working with local schools to turn Mardi Gras bead-making into an educational community project.

The takeaway

The shift towards more sustainable Mardi Gras throws, including biodegradable beads and reusable items, demonstrates a growing awareness of the environmental impact of the annual celebration and a commitment from some krewes to reduce single-use plastic waste.