Can Mardi Gras be “green” in terms of trash and celebration?

As I board the pink and purple Mardi Gras float, the atmosphere is joyous. Gorgeous glass beads dangle from hooks arranged over my head, and at my feet are burlap sacks filled with sustainable “throws”—the local term for anything thrown to parade spectators—such as colorful but sustainably packaged beignet mix and biodegradable glitter. As marching bands quickly rehearse their tunes, a lively brass version of the Mardi Gras staple “Do whatcha wanna” fills the air. A celebration that is both one of the most cherished and one of the most environmentally harmful celebrations in New Orleans is about to begin with the Krewe of Feret, the first Mardi Gras procession to fully ban plastic throws.