Balloons Blow – Don’t Let Them Go
By Julia A. Keirns
Balloons stuck in the trees in the woods.
The idea that latex balloons are completely biodegradable is no longer true. Early balloons were made from animal bladders, but the development of balloons has evolved over the years from the use of natural materials to chemically modified and completely synthetic molecules. Modern-day balloons are now made from materials including rubber, latex, polychloroprene, and nylon.
Balloonsblow.org states that releasing balloons is simply littering. Once released, a balloon can travel hundreds if not thousands of miles in the wind and end up in any field, forest, preserve, stream, river, lake, or ocean. Animals do not know the difference and believe this bright-colored item to be some form of food. Once ingested a balloon can cause blockage of the stomach and intestines, eventually leading to starvation for the animal. Even natural latex rubber does not degrade quickly enough to avoid this.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, “Birds, turtles, and other animals commonly mistake balloons for food, which can harm and even kill them. Balloons are found in about 1 out of every 20 dead seabirds examined.”
In June 2015, the Wildlife Center of Virginia found a dead bald eaglet with a fractured wing. A necropsy was performed, and the foreign bodies extracted from the eaglet’s ventriculus included two balloons.
In August 2016 an adult osprey was found tangled in balloon strings and had to be euthanized at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center.
In March 2017 a pair of jet skiers rescued a loggerhead sea turtle they spotted tangled in a balloon string off the coast of California. They spotted the turtle struggling to break free from the balloon string and shared their rescue video to YouTube channel Wild Spirit Nature Channel.
Birds, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and seals in water, as well as sheep, cows, dogs, and cats on land, have all been found to eat balloons or get tangled in the strings.
Mylar/foil balloons get tangled on power lines, cause power outages, spark fires, and take several years to begin breaking down into microplastics.
Mass balloon releases are already illegal in several states, cities, and countries, because after all, it is littering. Balloons are hazards when they enter the environment. All released balloons, whether intentionally or accidentally, return to the Earth as litter. What goes up must come down. Balloons kill countless animals and cause dangerous power outages.
There are many Earth-friendly alternatives that can be used for celebrations instead of balloons. Opting for reusable party décor such as pinwheels, banners, ribbon dancers, or blowing bubbles are just a few great ideas. Choosing to plant a tree is another green option. If balloons must be used, please keep them tethered so they don’t blow away.
Thinkoutsidethebin.com does offer some advice on how to responsibly dispose of balloons. Although standard latex balloons are not recyclable as there is no current reuse market for them, mylar balloons are made with a plastic/nylon synthetic material that is recyclable and reusable. These balloons will stay in a landfill forever, so it is recommended to keep them and reuse them. They can be refilled with helium for another event, used for crafts, and many other DIY projects.
Protecting the environment from pollution is important, especially when it can hurt so many different types of animals.
For more information, facts, and photos please visit BalloonsBlow.org.
Balloons Blow…Don’t Let Them Go!