LSU Clubs Promote Sustainable Mardi Gras

Campus organizations encourage recycling, repurposing, and biodegradable throws for the annual celebration.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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As Mardi Gras celebrations begin, LSU organizations like Geaux Green and Campus Sustainability are working to make the festivities more environmentally friendly. Campus Sustainability is hosting a beads and throws drive, donating the collected items to an organization that empowers individuals with disabilities. The student group Geaux Green held an event to make miniature sustainable floats out of repurposed materials. Additionally, a team of LSU students developed biodegradable "PlantMe Beads" that can sprout flowers when planted.

Why it matters

Mardi Gras generates a significant amount of waste, with millions of plastic beads and other throws ending up in landfills or polluting the environment. By promoting recycling, repurposing, and biodegradable alternatives, LSU's sustainability efforts aim to reduce the environmental impact of the annual celebration while still allowing people to enjoy the festivities.

The details

Campus Sustainability is collecting beads and throws in bins across campus until March 5, then donating the items to ARC, an organization that resells them. Geaux Green held an event where students made miniature floats out of repurposed materials. Additionally, a team of LSU students created "PlantMe Beads" made with 3D-printed polylactic acid and embedded with seeds that can sprout flowers when planted.

  • Campus Sustainability's beads and throws drive runs until March 5, 2026.
  • Geaux Green held their sustainable float-making event on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Campus Sustainability

An LSU department that promotes environmental sustainability on campus, including through initiatives like the beads and throws drive.

Geaux Green

An LSU student organization that encourages sustainable practices, including by hosting events to make repurposed Mardi Gras decorations.

ARC

An organization that empowers individuals with disabilities through employment and advocacy work, and resells the beads and throws collected by Campus Sustainability.

Glass Half Full

A sustainability-focused nonprofit based in New Orleans that handles much of the recycling during Mardi Gras, including of beads, cans, and bottles.

Dr. Naohiro Kato

A biological sciences professor at LSU who led a team of students in developing biodegradable "PlantMe Beads" that can sprout flowers when planted.

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What they’re saying

“It's repurposing beads and giving jobs to people that normally wouldn't have an opportunity.”

— Lisa Mahoney, LSU Campus Sustainability Manager (lsureveille.com)

“They have recycle stations staged all across St. Charles. They recycle, and they're doing it in real time. You could go to the tent and see them sorting materials. Students can certainly get engaged with that. They actually do pay you to help out.”

— Lisa Mahoney, LSU Campus Sustainability Manager (lsureveille.com)

“The whole reason behind this project was that we're just trying to make Mardi Gras a little more sustainable. We want people to enjoy Mardi Gras but also save the earth a little bit.”

— Jennifer Cagnolatti, Biological Sciences Senior (lsureveille.com)

What’s next

The PlantMe Beads team hopes to mass produce their biodegradable beads and distribute them to more Mardi Gras krewes in the future.

The takeaway

LSU's sustainability efforts demonstrate that Mardi Gras can be celebrated in an environmentally responsible way, through initiatives like recycling, repurposing, and developing innovative biodegradable alternatives to traditional throws. These initiatives show that the iconic Louisiana celebration can be enjoyed while also protecting the planet.