BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
Mardi Gras is synonymous with vibrant parades, dazzling floats, and—of course—plastic beads raining down from balconies and shimmery outfits. For years, the aftermath of these celebrations has left the streets and storm drains of Louisiana clogged with non-biodegradable waste. Now, a team of Louisiana State University (LSU) researchers is on a mission to change that with a sustainable twist on this beloved tradition.
Enter PlantMe Beads, biodegradable Mardi Gras beads embedded with plant seeds that sprout wherever they land. The innovation is the brainchild of LSU biological sciences professor Naohiro Kato, who first explored sustainable beads in 2021. His initial prototype, made from microscopic algae, decomposed within months but was costly to produce—about five dollars per strand.
Determined to create a more practical solution, Kato’s team turned to 3D printing last year, drastically reducing production costs to just fifty cents per strand. The result? Beads designed not only to degrade quickly but also to promote plant growth and aid in plastic breakdown, thanks to an intricate design that encourages bacterial activity in the soil.
The science behind sustainable beads
The secret to the PlantMe Beads’ biodegradability lies in polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a polymer made from bacteria. While highly effective, PHA is scarce, with only a handful of companies producing it as a 3D printer filament. Color variety is also limited, presenting another challenge for large-scale production.
To address this, the team is also researching polylactic acid (PLA), a plant-based plastic derived from corn byproducts. While PLA can break down within months in industrial composting conditions, it takes at least 80 years to degrade in nature. This makes it less ideal for the team’s vision of beads that naturally decompose in festival environments.
A student-driven effort with big ambitions
LSU biology senior Lauren Rogers and graduate student Alexis Strain have played pivotal roles in PlantMe Beads’ development. Rogers focused on researching plant growth and biodegradability, while Strain led the bead design and 3D printing process.
“Whenever we started this, it’s something we both did, but she just learned it a lot better than I did, and she had so much commitment,” Rogers said of Strain’s dedication to perfecting the bead designs.
The team’s goal is to roll out PlantMe Beads by Mardi Gras 2026, and they are already working with organizations like Krewe de Freret, which has pledged to stop throwing plastic beads starting in 2025. To generate excitement, students have been wearing the beads at celebrations, helping spread the word about the project.
Making sustainable beads accessible for all
One of the most exciting aspects of PlantMe Beads is its open-source approach. Once the team finalizes the design, anyone with a 3D printer will be able to download and produce the beads themselves.
“We’re not in this to make a profit off it; we’re just trying to make Mardi Gras a little more sustainable,” Rogers explained.
Despite the enthusiasm, the team faces funding challenges. Their current 3D printer was donated, and Rogers received funding from LSU’s Honors College for printing materials. However, with only one printer available, production is slow, requiring researchers to constantly rotate in and out of the lab to keep the process moving. Kato hopes to secure more 3D printers and hire additional students, but expanding the project depends on obtaining financial support.
A future where Mardi Gras is greener
As New Orleans and other cities grapple with festival waste, the LSU team’s efforts could represent a game-changer for sustainable celebrations. With affordable, biodegradable, and plant-friendly alternatives, Mardi Gras might soon become not just a spectacle of joy but also a force for environmental good.
