For many, balloons are associated with celebrations and remembrances. They’re eye catching, festive and often brightly colored. If you think about it, they are a relatively low maintenance decoration, and are more decorative than interactive; that is, unless you get a bunch of balloon strings tangled together. As someone who has experienced that many times, I wish people in this situation luck with an extra serving of patience. In fact, eliminating balloons from celebrations and remembrances would not only benefit those of us who are on a short fuse, but help the environment in the process.
Newton’s third law of motion states that what goes up must come down. The phrase sounds simple and straightforward enough, yet many seem to forget that balloons do not belong in the sky- ever. Whether they are released intentionally or not, balloons return to Earth as ugly litter with lasting hazardous effects on the environment.
There are two main types of balloons- latex and mylar. Even though latex balloons are considered biodegradable, it takes between 4 months and 6 years for them to decompose. In the meantime, they can retain their elasticity for up to a year, cause animal deaths and dangerous power outages, and travel thousands of miles, polluting even the most pristine and remote places. Mylar balloons, on the other hand, are not even considered biodegradable and should not be released. They’re composed of mylar nylon, a metalicized polyester that was originally developed for the US Space program. This material is dirty in both production and disposal. Mylar balloons also usually have a metallic coating, which contributes greatly to making them nonbiodegradable.
Balloons pose two main risks that classify them as a danger to wildlife or a danger to the environment. Inflated balloons that make their way back to earth or water are especially risky to wildlife. Animals are often attracted to brightly colored balloons which they eat (or attempt to, rather) mistaking them for food found in their ecosystems. Sea turtles are particularly vulnerable, as they often confuse balloons for jellyfish, thus resulting in stomach or intestinal blockages. In many cases, the results are fatal. Similarly, adornments such as ribbons or tassels run the risk of entangling curious animals. Not only do deflated or deflating balloons cause harm to the animals that encounter them, but they pose an immense threat to the environment. Balloons that don’t fall inland usually fall into the ocean. During their journeys around the world, balloons can travel thousands of miles before descending, disturbing remote, pristine locations. Balloons that fall into the ocean, on the other hand, have the potential to add to the North Atlantic Garbage Patch, which is estimated to be hundreds of kilometers in size, with a density of more than 200,000 pieces of debris per square kilometer.
While the conversation surrounding balloons often begins with the distinction between biodegradable and not biodegradable, it should not end there. Helium, the element used to fill balloons, is the second most abundant element in the universe, but it is finite and relatively rare on earth. Additionally, it leaves a significant ecological footprint, so while helium is not pollutive, it is unsustainable. Since it cannot be manufactured, it quickly escapes into space once it’s released into the atmosphere. Helium is used in MRI scanners, fiber optics, welding, cooling nuclear reactors, cryogenics, lasers, LCDs, rare document preservation, and breathing ventilators for infants. Consequently, many regard the usage of helium in balloons as both unnecessary and wasteful.
Since balloons are present across so many different types of events, it is important to note the relationship between intention and impact. Surely people do not mean to hurt the Earth or its wildlife while they celebrate or remember a loved one or decorate a party. However, the environmental impact of these decorations speaks much louder than any well intentioned plan to zhuzh up a space or day. As balloons are increasingly recognized as an unsustainable party decoration, we must ask ourselves: what can we use instead?
Instead of balloon releases, consider:
- Blowing bubbles!
- Looking into making or purchasing reusable flags, banners, and dancing inflatables
- Using kites and pinwheels as an alternative
- Creating tissue paper pom poms
- Lighting candles
- Making a planter
- Tying a forget-me-not
- Writing in chalk
- Sponsoring a bench
- Make a stepping stone
- Planting in remembrance
Another way to help wildlife and our environment is by remembering to do the following: 1) Never release a balloon in the air. 2) Pick up any balloons or ribbons you find and dispose of them properly. After all, it’s our job to do what we can, whenever we can, to practice sustainability wherever we may find ourselves.
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