Balloons: Party Fun Or Environmental Menace?

Balloons are a major cause of pollution, particularly in the ocean and on beaches. They are often released into the sky at weddings, graduations and sporting events, and can travel for thousands of miles before descending as litter. Balloons are a top cause of mortality for wildlife, especially seabirds, and are now ranked as a higher risk to animals than bottle caps. They can also cause power outages and fires when they become entangled in power lines.

Balloon pollution and power outages

Balloons are a single-use plastic that is increasingly becoming a source of environmental pollution. They are often released into the air during celebrations, but they can travel for thousands of miles before descending as litter. Balloons are a top cause of mortality for wildlife, especially seabirds, and are now ranked as a higher risk to animals than bottle caps.

Balloons can also cause power outages. They can stay aloft for weeks, drifting for miles before becoming entangled in power lines. Mylar balloons are particularly dangerous as their metallic coating conducts electricity. Southern California Edison reported 656 power outages caused by balloons in 2014, and in 2016, metallic balloons caused 429 power outages within PG&E’s service area, cutting power to 200,000 homes and businesses. In 2018, two power outages caused by foil balloons made the news: 3,600 residents in San Jose, California lost power when foil balloons floated into power lines, and on January 7, 2018, power outages impacted 3,000 customers in Mid-City New Orleans, Louisiana when a foil balloon hit a power line. In 2018 alone, 1,128 balloon-related explosions and power outages occurred in the SoCal region.

Public awareness about balloon pollution is growing, and lawmakers are taking action to minimise the environmental impact of balloon use. Dozens of balloon release laws have been passed in cities and states across the US, with Maine passing a statewide ban on balloon releases in 2021. Even sporting events are discontinuing the use of balloon releases.

Balloon litter on beaches and in oceans

Balloons have become an ever-increasing part of beach and ocean litter. They are single-use disposables, used briefly before being discarded, often into the air, where they can travel for thousands of miles before descending as litter. Balloon releases at weddings, graduations, and sporting events have become increasingly popular, and this has contributed to the balloon pollution problem.

Balloons are a top cause of mortality for wildlife, particularly seabirds. Balloon litter is now ranked as an even higher risk to animals than bottle caps. Marine and land animals often confuse balloon debris with food. Attracted by the shiny debris, sea turtles, birds, jellyfish, and other wildlife ingest deflated balloons, causing internal injury or death. The strings and streamers attached to balloons can also entangle, choke, or suffocate animals.

Public awareness about balloon pollution is growing, and lawmakers are taking action to minimize the environmental impact of balloon use. Dozens of balloon release laws have been passed in cities and states across the US, with Maine passing a statewide ban on balloon releases. Sporting events are also discontinuing the use of balloon releases.

You can do your part in helping reduce balloon pollution by picking up plastic litter when you see it, taking part in a beach cleanup, or discussing plastic waste with others.

Balloon releases at weddings, graduations and sporting events

Balloons are now a top cause of mortality for wildlife, especially seabirds, and are ranked as a higher risk to animals than bottle caps. They are often ingested by sea turtles, birds, jellyfish and other wildlife, causing internal injury or death. The strings and streamers attached to balloons can also entangle, choke or suffocate animals.

Public awareness about balloon pollution is growing, and lawmakers are taking action to minimise the environmental impact of balloon use. Dozens of balloon release laws have been passed in cities and states across the US, with Maine passing a statewide ban on balloon releases this year. Sporting events are also discontinuing the use of balloon releases, such as Clemson's decision to end its 30-year tradition of releasing 10,000 balloons before football games.

The dangers of Mylar balloons

Balloons are a major cause of pollution, with their single-use, disposable nature leading to them becoming litter. They can travel for thousands of miles before descending, becoming entangled in power lines and causing fires and power outages. Mylar balloons are particularly dangerous as their metallic coating conducts electricity.

Mylar balloons are a type of balloon made from a nylon fabric that is coated with metallic materials such as aluminium, nickel, or gold. This coating gives them their distinctive shiny appearance and makes them float longer than latex balloons. However, this same property that makes them desirable for celebrations also makes them a significant environmental hazard.

The metallic coating on Mylar balloons can conduct electricity, which poses a serious risk when they come into contact with power lines. According to New Jersey's largest utility, PSE&G, there was a 26% increase in outages caused by Mylar balloons over a five-year period. This not only causes inconvenience but also poses a fire risk.

Additionally, Mylar balloons, like all balloons, contribute to the growing problem of plastic pollution. They can take months to degrade, breaking down into microplastics that pollute the environment and harm wildlife. Seabirds, in particular, are at risk of mistaking balloon debris for food, leading to internal injuries or death.

The impact of balloon pollution on wildlife

Balloons are a major cause of pollution, with their impact on wildlife being particularly devastating. They are often released into the air at weddings, graduations, and sporting events, where they can travel for thousands of miles before descending as litter. This litter can then be ingested by wildlife, causing internal injury or death. The Ocean Conservancy now ranks balloon litter as a higher risk to animals than bottle caps, with seabirds being particularly vulnerable.

Balloons are single-use disposable items that are used for a brief period before being discarded. Even worse, they are often released into the air, where they can drift for many miles, becoming entangled in power lines and causing thousands of power outages each year. Mylar balloons are especially dangerous as their metallic coating conducts electricity.

Balloons are also a source of microplastic pollution, with most balloons taking months to degrade. This means that they remain in the environment indefinitely, where they can be ingested by wildlife or entangled in their strings and streamers, leading to choking or suffocation.

The good news is that public awareness about balloon pollution is growing, and lawmakers are taking action to minimize the environmental impact of balloon use. Dozens of balloon release laws have been passed in cities and states across the nation, with some sporting events discontinuing the use of balloon releases. Individuals can also do their part in helping to reduce balloon pollution by picking up plastic litter, taking part in beach cleanups, and discussing plastic waste with others.

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