It's no secret that most Carnival throws in the metro area end in the drainage systems, in the ocean and just about everywhere.
Naohiro Kato, professor at LSU's Department of Biological Sciences would like to do something about that.
"The problem with plastic is: It won't go away," says Kato. "It accumulates, and accumulates."
So, professor Kato, along with his team at LSU, have developed biodegradable beads.
Kato has developed a way to grow a species of microscopic algae, harvest it and create a powder that can form beads and doubloons.
"We tested how strong it is and our tests show if you throw our Mardi Gras beads from the seventh floor of building and hit the concrete, it's still OK," Kato said.
The beads take one to two years to biodegrade. So, in the short term, it might not do much to improve drainage issues.
More troublesome is the cost: $13 per necklace for the first batch and $1 per necklace for the second batch. Mardi Gras beads in the stores sell for about 10 cents.
Kato says he doesn't expect his beads to replace regular beads right away, but hopes the idea inspires others to make smart environmental choices.
