health
The dark side of the balloon boom
From balloon arches at parties to mass balloon releases at funerals, these bits of floating rubber and plastic can have disastrous effects on wildlife. As some retailers are refusing to sell them, here are some alternatives
TL;DR
- Balloons, including latex and foil types, are a significant environmental hazard, particularly to wildlife, as they are often single-use and do not decompose quickly.
- Studies show that balloons eaten by seabirds are more likely to kill them than other types of plastic.
- Retailers and industry bodies are increasingly pushing back against balloon releases due to environmental concerns, with some calling for outright bans.
- Alternatives to balloon releases include bubble machines, memorial benches, planting trees, ribbon dances, drumming, and wildflower seed bombs.
- Foil (Mylar) balloons are not biodegradable and can interfere with power lines if released.
- Helium, a finite resource, is used in balloons that float, and its use for this purpose is being questioned, especially given its importance in medical equipment like MRI scanners.
- Some balloons advertised as "100% biodegradable" have failed to degrade meaningfully in tests, leading to accusations of greenwashing.
- Balloons contribute to beach pollution, with a significant percentage of surveyed UK beaches showing discarded balloons.
- While not banned nationwide in the UK, balloon releases are outlawed by many local authorities, and restrictions exist in the US and Australia.
- The historical use of balloons, starting with Michael Faraday for laboratory purposes, has evolved into a widespread cultural phenomenon, amplified by celebrity endorsements and social media trends.