Biodegradable Mardi Gras Beads Help Make Carnival Season 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 Carnival season arrives in New Orleans, the city is grappling with the environmental impact of the millions of plastic Mardi Gras beads that are thrown from parade floats each year. In response, some krewes are now using biodegradable beads made from materials like starch-based polylactic acid (PLA) and even algae. These new bead options, developed by researchers at Louisiana State University, can be planted after the festivities to grow plants like okra. While plastic beads continue to clog storm drains and pollute nearby Lake Pontchartrain, the shift toward more sustainable throws is part of a growing trend to make Mardi Gras greener.

Why it matters

Plastic Mardi Gras beads have become a major environmental problem in New Orleans, clogging storm drains and polluting local waterways. The shift to biodegradable bead alternatives developed by LSU researchers represents an important step toward making the iconic Carnival celebration more sustainable and reducing its environmental impact on the city.

The details

The Krewe of Freret was the first major parading organization to ban plastic beads, opting instead for more valuable throws like baseball hats. This year, Freret and two other krewes are using the new "PlantMe Beads" developed at LSU, which are 3D-printed from a starch-based PLA material and contain okra seeds that can be planted after the parades. Previous attempts at biodegradable beads using algae-based bioplastics proved too costly, but the 3D-printed PlantMe Beads offer a more affordable and practical alternative to traditional plastic beads.

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

The players

Krewe of Freret

A major parading organization in New Orleans that was the first to ban plastic Mardi Gras beads, opting instead for more sustainable and valuable throws.

Alexis Strain

A graduate student at Louisiana State University who has been working on developing biodegradable "PlantMe Beads" made from 3D-printed starch-based PLA material.

Naohiro Kato

An associate professor of biology at Louisiana State University who has been leading research into creating more sustainable Mardi Gras bead alternatives, including previous efforts using algae-based bioplastics.

Kristi Trail

The executive director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy, an organization working to study the environmental impact of plastic Mardi Gras beads and promote more sustainable alternatives.

Greg Rhoades

The co-founder of the Krewe of Freret, which was the first major parading organization to ban plastic beads in favor of more valuable and reusable throws.

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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 (Associated Press)

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

— Kristi Trail, Executive Director, Pontchartrain Conservancy (Associated Press)

“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 (Associated Press)

What’s next

The LSU researchers are continuing to explore ways to make biodegradable bead alternatives more commercially viable, including experimenting with new 3D printing materials that can decompose quickly without needing to be planted. They are also working with local schools to turn bead-making into an educational community project.

The takeaway

The shift toward more sustainable Mardi Gras throws like biodegradable beads developed at LSU represents an important step in reducing the environmental impact of the iconic New Orleans celebration. While plastic beads continue to be a major waste problem, these new eco-friendly alternatives show how the city can embrace the spirit of Carnival while also protecting the local environment.