Plastic beads are not part of our unique cultural history. Their production leaves a significant carbon footprint, and they often contain dangerous elements such as lead and arsenic .
Collectively each year, krewes throw an estimated 2500 tons of beads in Orleans Parish alone.
The birth of most beads begins when oil from the Gulf of Mexico and the Middle East is sent to China. China produces nearly all Mardi Gras throws and ships them back to the US. However, these beads are often laced with chemicals such as polyethylene and polystyrene from the oil.