Balloon releases, where balloons are launched into the sky, are often part of celebrations, memorials, or public events. Despite their popular association with positive occasions, these displays carry significant negative consequences for the environment and its inhabitants.
Endangering Wildlife
Balloons, once released, pose a direct threat to a variety of animal species. Entanglement is a primary harm, as wildlife can become caught in balloon strings or remnants. This restricts movement, prevents foraging, and often leads to starvation.
Ingestion is another danger, as animals often mistake deflated balloons or fragments for food. Sea turtles, for example, may confuse balloon pieces with jellyfish. Ingesting these materials can cause internal blockages, injuries, or a false sense of fullness, leading to starvation and death. Studies indicate that birds ingesting balloon pieces are significantly more likely to die compared to those ingesting other types of plastic, making balloons a particularly deadly form of marine debris for seabirds.
Polluting Our Environment
Beyond direct harm to animals, released balloons contribute to widespread litter and plastic pollution across diverse ecosystems. Even if they break down, they fragment into microplastics that persist in the environment.
These microplastics contaminate soil and water, entering the food chain and affecting aquatic and terrestrial life. The sheer volume of balloon debris is notable; coastal cleanups have consistently identified balloons among the top types of litter found. This persistent waste creates an aesthetic blight and contributes to long-term ecological damage.
Causing Public Safety Hazards
Balloon releases also present risks to public safety and infrastructure. Metallic or Mylar balloons can conduct electricity. When these balloons contact power lines, they can cause short circuits, leading to power outages and fires.
Such incidents can disrupt essential services. For example, Southern California Edison reported over 650 power outages in one year caused by balloons. Balloons can also pose hazards to aviation by interfering with aircraft operations or being ingested into jet engines.
Understanding Balloon Degradation
Many believe latex balloons are “biodegradable” and harmless. While latex comes from natural rubber, manufacturing chemicals and dyes significantly slow its degradation. Studies show latex balloons can take months to years to break down in natural environments, persisting for 15 years or more in marine conditions.
Even in controlled composting environments, latex balloons have shown minimal degradation over several months. During this prolonged period, they remain a threat of entanglement and ingestion to wildlife. Mylar balloons are not biodegradable; they persist indefinitely, breaking down only into smaller plastic fragments.