Biodegradable Beads Aim to Make Mardi Gras More Sustainable

Over 3,000 eco-friendly beads were thrown at this year's Carnival in New Orleans.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Researchers at Louisiana State University have developed a more sustainable alternative to the traditional plastic Mardi Gras beads - 3D printed, biodegradable beads made from polylactic acid (PLA) and containing okra seeds. This year, over 3,000 of these "PlantMe" beads were thrown during the Carnival celebrations in New Orleans, where an estimated 25 million pounds of used plastic beads are discarded annually, often clogging storm drains.

Why it matters

The plastic beads thrown during Mardi Gras have long been an environmental concern, with tons of discarded beads polluting the city's waterways each year. This new biodegradable bead initiative aims to reduce the waste and environmental impact of the iconic Carnival tradition.

The details

The biodegradable beads were created by a team of researchers led by Naohiro Kato, a professor in LSU's Department of Biological Sciences. They initially experimented with beads made from a bioplastic derived from microalgae, but found the cost to scale up production was prohibitive. They then developed the 3D printed PLA beads that break down naturally and contain okra seeds to help the material biodegrade faster. The researchers have made the 3D printing files open access, so libraries, schools, and community groups can produce the beads themselves.

  • The biodegradable beads were first introduced in small quantities in 2022.
  • Over 3,000 of the PlantMe beads were thrown during the 2026 Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

The players

Naohiro Kato

A researcher and professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Louisiana State University, who led the development of the biodegradable Mardi Gras beads.

PlantMe beads

The 3D printed, biodegradable beads made from polylactic acid (PLA) and containing okra seeds, created by the LSU research team as a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastic Mardi Gras beads.

Carnival krewes

The social clubs that organize parades and events during the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

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What they’re saying

“It's very challenging to replace these inexpensive plastic materials with more sustainable materials.”

— Naohiro Kato, Researcher and professor (Time)

“The true solution for sustainable Mardi Gras is not biodegradation, but people's mindset. Many krewe members are aware it's time to change.”

— Naohiro Kato, Researcher and professor (Time)

What’s next

The researchers envision that moving forward, libraries, schools, and other community groups with 3D printers can help produce more of the biodegradable PlantMe beads for Mardi Gras parades, making it a collaborative community project.

The takeaway

This initiative to introduce biodegradable Mardi Gras beads is part of a broader effort to make the iconic New Orleans celebration more sustainable, reducing the massive amount of plastic waste generated each year. While the biodegradable beads are a step in the right direction, the researchers emphasize that the true solution lies in changing the mindset and behavior of the Carnival krewes and participants.