One New Orleans professor is offering a greener way to celebrate and a local marine scientist applauds his efforts.
) - Every Mardi Gras season, thousands of pounds of brightly-colored beads rain down from floats onto the crowds—but when the music stops and the streets clear, many of those beads are left behind, washed into storm drains or tossed into the trash.
—3-D printed from a starch-based material called polylactic acid. The innovative beads represent a significant shift in how the city can celebrate its most iconic tradition while protecting the environment. Last year, New Orleans’ Krewe of Freret banned plastic beads entirely. This season, Freret is one of three krewes throwing the biodegradable beads during parades, setting an example for other parade organizations to follow.has studied the harmful effects of traditional Mardi Gras beads for years “These actually have okra seeds inside,” Dr. Carmichael explains. “Having the plant seeds aids in the biodegrading process. We are super excited about it and I say ‘we’ because my son and I did this project where we looked at the potential for harmful metals in the paint...and that’s how we met Dr. Kato and found out about his Mardi Gras beads.”Dr. Carmichael urges paradegoers to be responsible stewards of the environment—picking up beads and other throws, and reusing or recycling when possible. As more krewes consider making the switch to biodegradable alternatives, even small actions from revelers can make a significant difference.MPD: Woman dies after Wesley Avenue shooting; officials say off-duty Prichard officer involved ‘What planet did you come from to act like this:’ Judge scolds alleged victim and defendant over social media videosGulf Shores prepares for 47th annual Mardi Gras with upsurge in parade entries
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Louisiana State University Develops Biodegradable Mardi Gras BeadsLouisiana State University is developing biodegradable Mardi Gras beads made from polylactic acid (PLA) and containing okra seeds, offering an eco-friendly alternative to the traditional plastic beads that have become a major environmental problem during Carnival season in New Orleans. These new beads are designed to decompose and can be planted to grow okra.
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Biodegradable Mardi Gras beads help make Carnival season more sustainableLSU students have produced 3,000 PlantMe Bead necklaces for 2026 Carnival parades
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Biodegradable Mardi Gras beads help make Carnival season more sustainableThe Associated Press
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Turning tons of trash into acres of okra: biodegradable beads tossed from Mardi Gras floatsDeveloped at Louisiana State University, the “PlantMe Beads” are 3D-printed from a starch-based material.
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