Biodegradable Mardi Gras Beads Aim to Make Carnival More Sustainable

New Orleans krewes embrace eco-friendly throws to address plastic bead pollution

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In an effort to reduce the environmental impact of Mardi Gras celebrations, some New Orleans krewes are transitioning to biodegradable bead alternatives. The Krewe of Freret banned plastic beads last year, and this year several krewes are using "PlantMe Beads" developed at Louisiana State University that are 3D-printed from a starch-based material and contain okra seeds that can be planted. The move comes as the city grapples with the massive waste generated from the traditional plastic beads, which clog storm drains and pollute nearby Lake Pontchartrain.

Why it matters

Plastic Mardi Gras beads have become a major environmental problem for New Orleans, with the city finding over 46 tons of beads clogging storm drains after heavy flooding. The beads also end up polluting nearby waterways like Lake Pontchartrain. By embracing more sustainable bead alternatives, krewes are working to reduce the massive waste generated during Carnival season and mitigate the environmental damage caused by the traditional plastic beads.

The details

The "PlantMe Beads" being used by some krewes this year are 3D-printed from a starch-based, commercially available material called polylactic acid (PLA). The beads are hollow spheres containing okra seeds, so they can be planted after the parades and decompose naturally. The beads were developed by graduate students at Louisiana State University, building on earlier work to create biodegradable beads from microalgae. While the algae-based beads were too expensive to be a practical alternative, the 3D-printed PlantMe Beads offer a more affordable and sustainable option.

  • In 2025, the Krewe of Freret was the first major parading organization to ban plastic beads.
  • For the 2026 Carnival season, LSU students have produced 3,000 PlantMe Bead necklaces to give to three krewes for feedback.

The players

Krewe of Freret

A Mardi Gras krewe that was the first to ban plastic beads, instead throwing items like baseball hats that people value and use year-round.

Pontchartrain Conservancy

A group that is studying the impact of plastic Mardi Gras beads on Lake Pontchartrain and preparing to research microplastics in the lake.

Alexis Strain

A graduate student at Louisiana State University who has been working on developing biodegradable "PlantMe Beads" for Mardi Gras.

Naohiro Kato

An associate professor of biology at Louisiana State University who has been overseeing the development of biodegradable Mardi Gras bead alternatives, including the 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, Co-founder, Krewe of Freret

“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

What’s next

The LSU team is continuing to experiment with different 3D printing materials to create biodegradable beads that decompose quickly without needing to be planted. They are also exploring ways to make algae-based bioplastic beads more commercially viable.

The takeaway

By embracing more sustainable bead alternatives, New Orleans krewes are taking an important step to reduce the massive environmental impact of traditional plastic Mardi Gras beads. This shift towards eco-friendly throws demonstrates how the iconic Carnival celebration can evolve to become more environmentally responsible.