Needless to say, kids love balloons.
From changing their voice by inhaling the helium to popping them up in the air to avoid a floor made of “lava,” balloons have probably added loads of entertainment to your special occasions in the past.
But if you’re becoming more sensitive to the amount of waste you produce, you’ve probably realized that balloons are not recyclable or biodegradable.
Some manufacturers may claim that their balloons are biodegradable because they’re made out of latex, which is sourced from the sap of a rubber tree. However, the latex used in balloons is not the same as pure, natural latex. It is heavily processed and treated with a number of preservatives, colors, chemicals, and plastics (which is all the more reason to keep them away from your child’s mouth and skin).
Mylar balloons, on the other hand, are the foil balloons that usually depict “Happy Birthday” messages and come pre-filled with helium. These balloons are made from a synthetic nylon, polyethylene, and a metallic coating, making them even worse for the environment than latex balloons.
What exactly happens to balloons when we’re done with them?
The fate of your balloons depends on the type of balloons that they are and how you dispose of them.
Unfortunately, most balloons end up littering the environment and pose a fatal hazard to wildlife. In fact, more birds die from ingesting balloons than any other type of trash. This is either due to choking or a blockage in the digestive tract.
Mylar balloons are a similar threat to wildlife, and they can also become entangled in power lines and cause power outages due to their metallic coating. A power company called Southern California Edison reported that mylar balloons caused 942 power outages in one year!
And there’s more concerning factors with balloons other than just their disposal.
The helium that allows balloons to float is a nonrenewable resource that is sourced from radioactive materials. It is also very finite on our planet, despite being very abundant in the rest of the universe.
This is a problem because helium is an important element that is necessary to operate lots of medical and aerospace equipment. Considering we are seeing a shortage of valuable helium, we probably shouldn’t be wasting it on party balloons.
What’s more is that balloons are responsible for 38% of deaths caused by choking on toys. This generally happens while the child is inhaling helium or trying to blow the balloon up.
So what are some more sustainable ways to decorate your party?
Flowers, leaves, sticks, recycled or sustainably harvested paper, and natural twine are great base materials for making fun DIY decorations with your family. You can also upcycle fabric from old thrift store clothes if you want to make something that you can wash and reuse for future events.
Consider these ideas:
- Leaf or paper pinwheels
- Leaf or paper banner
- Leaf or flower petal confetti
- Paper or leaf garland and chains
- Twine garland strung with pictures
- Fabric bunting
For entertainment, consider kites, bubbles, and other types of games and activities instead.