Biodegradable Mardi Gras Beads Aim to Make Carnival More Sustainable

New Orleans krewes experiment with eco-friendly bead alternatives to reduce plastic waste

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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As Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans generate millions of pounds of plastic bead waste each year, 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. Other krewes are also testing out more sustainable bead options as the city looks to reduce the environmental impact of the annual Carnival festivities.

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 beads discarded each year, the city and local conservation groups are seeking ways to make the celebrations more sustainable.

The details

The 'PlantMe Beads' developed at Louisiana State University are 3D-printed from a starch-based bioplastic called polylactic acid (PLA). Each bead contains okra seeds, so the necklaces can be planted and the okra will help the beads decompose. The Krewe of Freret was the first to ban traditional plastic beads, and three krewes are now testing the new biodegradable beads for the 2026 Carnival season. LSU students have produced 3,000 PlantMe Bead necklaces for the krewes to distribute.

  • The Krewe of Freret banned plastic beads in 2025.
  • For the 2026 Carnival season, LSU students have produced 3,000 PlantMe Bead necklaces.

The players

Krewe of Freret

A parading organization in New Orleans that was the first to ban plastic Mardi Gras beads, instead throwing more sustainable alternatives like baseball hats.

Louisiana State University

A university where researchers have developed biodegradable 'PlantMe Beads' made from a starch-based bioplastic as a more sustainable Mardi Gras throw.

Pontchartrain Conservancy

A group that is studying the environmental impact of plastic Mardi Gras beads, which can clog storm drains and pollute nearby Lake Pontchartrain.

Naohiro Kato

An associate professor of biology at LSU who has been working on developing biodegradable bead alternatives, including exploring the use of microalgae-based bioplastics.

Alexis Strain

An LSU graduate student who has been experimenting with 3D printing to create the 'PlantMe Beads' made from a starch-based material.

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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 (ksgf.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 (ksgf.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 of Biology, LSU (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The Pontchartrain Conservancy recently received a grant that will help them study the impact of the more sustainable Mardi Gras bead initiatives on reducing microplastics in Lake Pontchartrain.

The takeaway

As the environmental toll of traditional plastic Mardi Gras beads becomes increasingly clear, New Orleans krewes are leading the way in embracing biodegradable alternatives that can help reduce waste and pollution from the annual Carnival celebrations.