Balloons are common at celebrations and events, adding a festive touch. Their widespread use, however, has led to a growing awareness of their potential environmental impact. As these colorful decorations ascend into the sky or are discarded, they often become a form of pollution, raising concerns about their effects on natural environments and wildlife.
Balloon Materials and Environmental Persistence
Balloons are primarily made from two materials: latex and Mylar. Natural rubber latex forms the basis of latex balloons. While natural latex is inherently biodegradable, the manufacturing process incorporates various additives, including pigments for color, vulcanizing agents to enhance durability and elasticity, plasticizers, and preservatives, which can impede natural decomposition. Mylar balloons, also known as foil balloons, consist of a nylon or polyester film coated with a metallic layer, giving them their characteristic shiny appearance.
The degradation rates of these materials vary significantly in natural environments. Although latex balloons are frequently marketed as “biodegradable,” studies indicate they can persist for months to years, and even over 15 years in marine settings, due to the added chemicals and dyes. For example, a 16-week study showed latex balloons largely retained their original shape and size in freshwater, saltwater, and industrial compost environments. Mylar balloons, being plastic-based, are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to break down, instead fragmenting into smaller plastic pieces that remain in the environment.
Direct Threats to Wildlife
Balloons pose direct threats to wildlife primarily through ingestion and entanglement. Animals often mistake deflated balloon fragments for food, leading to severe internal issues. Marine animals, such as sea turtles, whales, and dolphins, commonly confuse balloons with their natural prey, like jellyfish or squid. When ingested, these non-digestible items can cause blockages in the digestive system, resulting in starvation, internal injuries, and ultimately, death.
Latex balloons are frequently found in the stomachs of deceased animals. Research indicates that birds ingesting balloon pieces are 32 times more likely to die than from consuming other types of plastic debris. Terrestrial animals, including birds, wild horses, and livestock, have also been documented eating balloon fragments.
Entanglement is another significant hazard, as ribbons, strings, or even the deflated balloons themselves can ensnare animals. This can cause injuries, restrict movement, and increase an animal’s vulnerability to predators or starvation. Marine mammals are particularly susceptible to entanglement. A notable instance involved a dolphin found deceased with a balloon string tightly wrapped around its body.
Wider Ecological and Litter Consequences
Beyond direct harm to animals, balloons contribute to broader ecological issues and litter pollution. All balloons released into the atmosphere eventually return to Earth as litter, often traveling extensive distances from their original release point. This debris can be found in various environments, including waterways, oceans, parklands, beaches, and even remote natural areas.
The accumulation of balloon litter degrades natural landscapes and disrupts ecosystems. While less prominent than physical impacts, balloons contain various chemicals, such as dyes, plasticizers, and heavy metals, which can leach into the environment as the materials slowly break down. Mylar balloons, in particular, pose an additional risk by causing thousands of power outages each year when they come into contact with power lines. The use of helium to inflate balloons also depletes a non-renewable resource that is essential for various medical procedures and industrial applications.
Making Environmentally Sound Choices
Given the environmental concerns associated with balloons, making environmentally sound choices for celebrations is important. Numerous alternatives to balloon releases exist that do not contribute to litter or harm wildlife. Options include using bubbles, planting trees or flowers, and decorating with flags, banners, or other reusable items. Natural confetti made from flower petals or leaves, luminarias, pinwheels, and ribbon wands also offer festive and less impactful choices.
For balloons that are used, responsible disposal is paramount to minimize their environmental footprint. Balloons should never be intentionally released into the air. Instead, they should be deflated and disposed of properly in a trash bin, with any attached ribbons or clips removed.
While Mylar balloons are generally not accepted in curbside recycling, some specialized facilities may process them if clean. Although some latex balloons may be compostable under very specific conditions, general disposal in the trash remains the most widely recommended approach. Promoting these responsible practices within communities and at events helps protect natural habitats.