Mardi Gras beads hang from trees after a parade during Mardi Gras 2018. Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews rides on his float in the Krewe of Freret parade on the Uptown route in New Orleans, Saturday ...

Mardi Gras can make a lot of trash, adding up to millions of pounds each year. Now, some parades in New Orleans are cutting down on their environmental footprint by banning plastic beads.

Mardi Gras beads hang from trees after a parade during Mardi Gras 2018. More information +12. Wanna ride in a 2025 Mardi Gras parade? Get an early bird special!